Professor John Robertson OBA
From Suspected drug deaths in Scotland: October to December 2024, published today:
During 2024 there were 1,065 suspected drug deaths, 11% (132) fewer than in 2023. This is one of the lowest numbers of suspected drug deaths recorded in a single calendar quarter since the start of the time series in 2017.
https://www.gov.scot/publications/suspected-drug-deaths-scotland-october-december-2024/pages/3/
Of particular interest:
A majority (64%) of suspected drug deaths were of people aged between 35 and 54 years. This is broadly in line with previous periods. There were 34 suspected drug deaths in the under 25 age group, 37% (20) fewer than in 2023.
These older drug users, their internal organs wasted by years of drug abuse since the destructive Thatcher and Blair eras, have been dying off early and in disproportionate numbers, but that trend is now coming to an end. Due to that and the SNP Naloxone opioid overdose reversal and safe injection, initiatives, combined with treatment programmes seeing more than 90% within three weeks, this downward trend can be expected to continue.
The only inhibiting factor is the spread of English County Lines gangs, into rural and small town Scotland, bringing with them access to cheaper and more deadly new drugs.
The Police Scotland data are often compared unfavourably with the NRS data which based on the presence of drugs in the blood of the deceased but while being quite divergent at the end of 2017 have since converged extremely closely.
Police Scotland suspected drug deaths correlate very closely with the NRS drug misuse death statistics. Since the period ending in December 2018, the rolling 12-month Police Scotland figures have ranged from 3% below to 6% above the NRS drug misuse death figures.
What’s the early MSM response? The Daily Record:
Suspected deaths from drugs in Scotland drop by 11% but remains at ‘horrendous’ level
To be fair, the Scotsman does spot the big reduction among the young with:
The ‘welcome’ 37% result in Scotland’s ‘heart-breaking’ drug death figures
BBC Scotland? Still pushing weight loss drugs.
Talking-up Scotland 'Albatraz' 
The Scottish media is quick to jump in reporting “highest drug deaths in the UK and Europe” but rather slow to publish any good news.
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The Scottish Gov is funding proper, total abstinence rehab facilities. £250Million over five years. Already people are benefiting. Getting proper help to fet well.
Instead of prison. £40,000 a year. Much more affective and cheaper rehab facilities. Getting people well and able to work. Cutting poverty.
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The young are going forward for help. NA and AA give help and support and help people. More people go to proper rehab with increased better facilities.
Young people take cocaine and retamine. Not so deadly short term but deadly over time. Albanian gangs are growing toxic cannabis. Strong skunk linked to a higher risk of psychotic mental health episodes. More is grown in the UK than imported.
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FANTASTIC NEWS
STICK THIS in your royal unionist pipes and smoke EH
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