Podcasts Other The Briefing Room Scotland's drugs problem

Scotland's drugs problem

Published: Aug. 4, 2022, 7:30 p.m.

Scotland has the worst figures for drug-related deaths anywhere in Europe. According to National Records for Scotland, 1,330 drug users died in 2021 - a slight improvement, but a death rate per capita which is still 4.8 times higher than England's.

Why do so many Scots die from drugs? And what more can be done to prevent it?

Joining David Aaronovitch in The Briefing Room are:\nJames Cook, BBC Scotland Editor\nKirsten Horsburgh, Director of Operations at the Scottish Drugs Forum\nAndrew McAuley, Glasgow Caledonian University\nProfessor Catriona Matheson, University of Stirling\nProfessor Alex Stevens, University of Kent

PHOTO: Nalaxone kits, which are being used to stop overdoses in Scotland. (Jeff J Mitchell/Getty Images)