West Scotland MSPs say that urgent change is required to address the issue of drug deaths in North Ayrshire. 

New figures released today show that 39 people died from drugs in North Ayrshire in 2020. 

The statistics also show that Scotland recorded 1,339 drug deaths in the same year, the highest rate in Europe. 

West Scotland Labour MSP Katy Clark said: “A range of factors that can have a significant impact on drug use, such as social cohesion and community support, life opportunities, the socio-economic and physical environment, for example income inequality, quality of housing etc; all of these factors play an instrumental role in shaping attitudes towards drug use.

“The pandemic has made issues such as unemployment, poor mental health and isolation much worse. That’s why the way we approach health outcomes, including drug use, must change now - particularly in remote and rural areas of Scotland where people can experience a feeling of prolonged social alienation.

“It is vital to invest in infrastructure and support for families, in structures for the development of young people, ensuring true equality of opportunity and academic attainment.

West Scotland Conservative MSP Jamie Greene says urgent change is required to end the drug crisis. 

He said: “These latest statistics are heartbreaking and behind them lies real families suffering the loss of a loved one.

“The Scottish Government are catastrophically failing to get a grip on this issue as year after year the situation is getting worse here in the NHS Ayrshire and Arran health board area and has already spiralled out of control.

“We need a united, non-partisan and national effort to make the drastic changes necessary to overhaul the broken system to guarantee in law that everyone who needs treatment can get it.”

West Scotland Green MSP Ross Greer says every death from drugs in Scotland is preventable. 

He said: “Today’s tragic figures are yet another reminder of the devastating impact of drug addiction in North Ayrshire and across Scotland.

"Every single one of these deaths was a preventable tragedy.

“Both the UK and Scottish Governments’ approach to this crisis needs to change.

"Tackling this crisis means tackling poverty at source through creating secure, well-paid jobs, reducing rents and improving the quality of housing.

"Without these steps, this cycle of misery and death will continue.”