Why has Scotland got such a huge drug problem?

I think it’s ketamine where I live. I didn’t know that until I watched a short documentary on YouTube & up pops my town.

I remember the ice cream vans selling all their wares under the guise of selling ice cream back in the 70s in Glasgow when I use to visit my relatives.
There has always been a culture of heavy drinking up there, drugs was the next big thing.
It’s everywhere now not just Scotland.

Not everyone in England is rolling in money or opportunities.

Casdon

That doesn’t stack up Paddyann54, if that was the issue other parts of the UK would be in the same position as Scotland, it’s not a variable if everybody follows the same policy.

That’s what I was thinking, why is Scotland worse than England for drug deaths?

There's a reason why so many Scottish people need to lose themselves in alcohol and drugs. It's not a great place for some. Long term poor education and limited job prospects.

That doesn’t stack up Paddyann54, if that was the issue other parts of the UK would be in the same position as Scotland, it’s not a variable if everybody follows the same policy.

Problems are compounded by having to do the same thing decade on decade
We are “not allowed” to stray from the methadone treatment that Westminster initiated
…..any time we want to try a different approach we are told “drugs policy is a reserved issue” reserved to Westminster!
They must make a fortune from methadone there’s no other reason surely that they don’t let us use a different way of dealing with it?
This sadly is Whats known as democracy in Scotland,devolution = powers given but many more retained .

The SNP government slashed the drugs rehab budget in 2015 with absolutely dire consequences, since 2020 they have been trying to rectify the consequences but it's far too little, far too late.

How much of the issue is down to unscrupulous dealers, who by the sound of it are mixing drugs into more dangerous cocktails? More people die if there is a dealer issue, as well as if there are more users.

Yes. Too many sad people with no hope.

I'm hoping that's why they acknowledged that wider levels of intervention are needed.

Yes it’s desperately sad.
I know we’ll never be able to help absolutely everyone, but many drug users have had traumatic experiences or abusive childhoods, often both.

It was pure coincidence that I was listening to R4 news and heard the update., at the same time as you posted the thread.
It was desperately sad to hear.

Thank you Plevey08

There is the same budget but alcohol has been included in the 5 year mission introduced in 2021. So a stretched budget.
A total of 1,133 fatalities in 2025. An 11 percent rise and for the 7th year in a row, the worst fatality rate in Europe.
A national drugs mission was announced in 2021.The fatalities are becoming multifactorialas gangs are mixing powerful synthetic opioids with heroin, Benzodiazopines and alcohol. More dangerous than fentanyl.
Poor housing schemes with intense peer pressure. Extreme poverty.
It's just been on R4 news at 1pm.
It's thought that, whilst important, there has been a too high level of catching the gangs, rather than giving higher comprehensive support to addicts.
It is being acknowledged and they are seeming to be focusing more on a broader spectrum of support. We can only hope.