General · 6 hours ago

Scotland's drug deaths rise 11% to 1,133, worst in Europe

Drug-related deaths in Scotland increased by 11% last year, reaching 1,133 fatalities in 2025, maintaining the country's position with Europe's highest death rate. The rise was driven by a 19% increase in male deaths, while female deaths fell by 5%. Criminal gangs mixing powerful synthetic opioids like nitazenes with other drugs, implicated in 247 deaths, is a major factor.

By BriefTea Editorial · 23 September 2026 at 13:05

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