Direct comparisons are slightly problematic as the NRS in Scotland and the ONS in England, use different categories.
Scotland has 15-24, 25-34 and 35-44 age groups while England and Wales has Under 20, 20-29 and 30-39, so comparisons cannot be precise but we can still see that deaths among those up to 34 years in Scotland are almost certainly lower by some way.
However, first, the trends are clear. In Scotland, the graph above from the NRS shows a clear fall in 2021 among the 15-24 and 25-34 age groups with what may be a Covid-related blip for the 35-44 group after a big fall in the previous year, 2020.
In England & Wales, there was an increase in the under 20s from 40 to 45, in the 20-29s from 278 to 298 and in the 30-39s from 762 to 771. https://www.ons.gov.uk/peoplepopulationandcommunity/birthsdeathsandmarriages/deaths/datasets/deathsrelatedtodrugpoisoningenglandandwalesreferencetable
So, the comparison:
Scotland
- 15-24 – 11 deaths
- 25-34 – 28
Total 39
England & Wales
- Under 20 – 45 deaths
- 20 -29 – 298
- 30-34 – 375* (half of the 771 for the 30-39s)
Total 718
England & Wales has a population of 59 million, 11 times that of Scotland at 5.4 million.
So, all things being equal, England and Wales should have 11 times as many drug deaths as Scotland, 429, but look like having more than 700, 62% more.
Even if we think the deaths among 30-34s were less than half of the total for the 30-39s, there will be enough to take the total above that of Scotland by some way.
Longer term, this suggests that as the Generation X addicts pass away, Scotland will emerge as having one of the lower drug death rates in Europe.
*UPDATE: I’ve written to the ONS researchers to get confirmation of the 30-34 breakdown which will remove any doubt. Don’t see how they could refuse.
Talking-up Scotland 
I suppose the BBC will be falling over themselves to broadcast this good news.
LikeLiked by 3 people
Their moto is “never let the facts get in the way of a good story”!
LikeLiked by 3 people
BBC news :–
“Sadly drug deaths in En…….
Oh, look a giant bunny rabbit—and look, LOOK–it waving to you!!!
Now where were we? Oh yes, the news–That wonderful Liz Truss has told us all to just ignore Scotland. Just ignore it, while we syphon off their oil and gas, and keep the lights on with their abundant renewable electricity.
The Froggies have let us down again with their broken down nukes, so we have to keep taking Jocktricity.
Hush, now–dont tell the Sweaties”!
LikeLiked by 5 people
It is quite evident on the above graph that most age groups have shown a decided increase ( some spectacularly so ) since 2010 . No prizes for guessing who came to power then with their austerity mantra !
LikeLiked by 1 person
Sorry for going off topic
Do anyone think BBC Scotland and the opposition parties are salivating at the prospect of NHS Scotland staff rejecting the 5% pay offer?
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-62520104
“NHS Scotland staff prepared to strike over pay – unions”
Can anyone afford to go on strike at this time
The other day Martin Lewis warned the UK was facing a financial emergency, and millions were at risk from destitution.
The UK economy contracted by 0.1% today. If the next set of figure also show a contraction the UK economy will officially be in recession.
Inflation is nearly 10% and expected to reach 13% by the end of the year.
There is also the steep rise in the energy price cap to £3,582 in October.
What would you do?
LikeLike
“Can anyone afford to go on strike at this time” …. followed by …. “Inflation is nearly 10% and expected to reach 13% by the end of the year. There is also the steep rise in the energy price cap to £3,582 in October”
Can anyone afford NOT to go on strike if the pay offer doesn’t address the rise in the cost of living?
LikeLike