The National Records of Scotland released the latest mortality figures on Thursday, showing that 1,133 people died from drug poisoning in 2025, 116 more than in 2024. The death rate was 2.4 times higher than in England, 1.6 times higher than in Northern Ireland and 1.5 times higher than in Wales, underscoring Scotland’s position as the UK’s drug‑death hotspot.

Synthetic opioids known as nitazenes were implicated in 247 of the deaths, with the most common variant, etonitazene, linked to 215 fatalities. The rise in synthetic opioid deaths was highlighted by Minister Todd, who said the “exceptionally potent” drugs are causing “death and destruction on our streets.”

Gender‑specific data showed a 19% increase in male deaths, while female deaths fell 5%. Cocaine was involved in a record‑high 23% of all deaths, reflecting a broader trend of poly‑drug use – more than three‑quarters (78%) of the fatalities involved more than one substance.

Todd, who assumed the drug and alcohol portfolio in June 2025, told the Press Association in Glasgow that her “eye is absolutely on the ball.” She expressed condolences to families and pledged to “redouble” efforts, emphasizing that access to rehabilitation should not be limited by funding and that cash has already been allocated to councils for treatment services.

University of Stirling substance‑use professor Catriona Matheson warned that highly potent synthetic opioids are contaminating heroin and other drugs, posing a serious risk to users. She added that low‑cost cocaine from international markets is fuelling the rise in cocaine‑related deaths.

Political opposition parties seized on the figures. Scottish Labour health spokeswoman Jackie Baillie called the trend “a damning indictment of the Scottish Government’s failure to support the most marginalised,” while the Scottish Greens warned the SNP cannot repeat the same approach and expect different results. Conservative MSP Miles Briggs demanded the shutdown of the Thistle drug‑consumption facility in Glasgow and opposed plans for additional consumption rooms.

The Scottish Drugs Forum urged the creation of more safe consumption facilities and drug‑checking services, arguing that deaths are shaped by a “much wider set of factors” including poverty, trauma, housing insecurity and mental‑health inequality. The forum noted that drug deaths are fifteen times higher in the most deprived communities, and the average age of death has risen from 32 in 2000 to 46 in 2025.