A new report by Public Health Scotland has highlighted the impact of drug deaths on children and families.
More than 600 children lost a parent in just one single year in Scotland.
Public health experts examined in detail those who lost their lives to drug addiction between 2019 and 2020 to better understand the scale of the emergency.
The findings published this week also found more than half of those who died lived in the most deprived parts of Scotland, while two-thirds of victims were in contact with a service that could have helped address their addiction problems.
Professor Susanna Galea-Singer, chair of the Addictions Faculty at the Royal College of Psychiatrists in Scotland, said:
“It is very sad that so many children have lost parents to drug addiction and every drug death is a tragedy.
“We know there are close links between poverty and drug misuse but what we need now is a bold and consistent plan – one that does not allow this crisis to continue.
“The Scottish Government must look at realistic and carefully considered drug addiction services for the health, social care and third sector which are sustainable over time.
“Above all there needs to be better access, choice and support across Scotland as well as joined-up services and treatment options for those who so desperately need them.”
For further information, please contact:
- Email: scotland@rcpsych.ac.uk
- Contact Name: RCPsych in Scotland
- Twitter: @rcpsychscot