Full Breakdown
Scotland’s Drug De-criminalisation Policy Under Scrutiny as Death Toll Rises
By Drooid · · How we work
Core Event: Government Reaffirms Support for Decriminalisation Amid Rising Drug Deaths
The statement followed National Records of Scotland figures showing 1,133 drug-related deaths in 2025 – an 11 % increase on 2024.
Background & Context
The SNP’s drug policy has been described as “caring, compassionate and human-rights-informed” since 2021, when then-Lord Advocate Dorothy Bain advised that prosecuting personal possession of Class A drugs was no longer required. The approach includes the Thistle safer-consumption facility in Glasgow and plans for a drugs-checking service there. The Scottish Government says decriminalisation must be enacted by Westminster, which retains authority over drug legislation.
Data & Statistics
- 1,133 drug-related deaths in 2025, 11 % higher than 2024.
- Age-standardised death rate: 21.4 per 100,000 in 2025 vs 19.1 in 2024 (statisticians note the change is not statistically significant).
- Nitazenes implicated in 247 deaths in 2025, over one-fifth of all drug deaths.
- The 2025 death rate is four times the 2000 level and remains the highest in Europe, roughly 2.5 times England’s rate.
Official Statements & Responses
- John Swinney expressed “deepest sympathies” to bereaved families and linked the rise to “intergenerational poverty and trauma” and an “upsurge in grossly harmful synthetics.”
- Andy Burnham, Labour leader, reiterated his opposition to decriminalisation.
- The UK Government has rejected Scotland’s proposal as “dangerous.”
Criticism & Opposition
- Alex Cole-Hamilton, Liberal Democrat leader, highlighted the jump in nitazene-related deaths and questioned why the SNP’s “national mission” has failed.
- Malcolm Offord, Reform UK deputy leader, called for a vote of no confidence in drugs minister Maree Todd, accusing the SNP of “collapsing” the national drug strategy.
Verbatim Quotes
- “We are exhausting every element of the powers and responsibilities that we have to address the situation.” — John Swinney
- “They are unacceptable and intolerable, and the government is focused on addressing these issues.” — First Minister
- “The SNP's failed approach traps addicts in a life of misery, sending 1000s to an early grave by peddling the lie that inherently dangerous drugs can be taken safely.” — Russell Findlay
Timeline
- February 26 – The First Minister was briefed on expectations of a rise in suspected drug deaths.
- June 19 – A summit with ministers, councils, organisations and bereaved families reviewed the response.
Why It Matters / Impact
Scotland’s decriminalisation push tests devolved powers, as any change to drug law ultimately requires Westminster approval. The policy’s continuation despite a rising death toll fuels debate over public-health versus law-enforcement strategies and raises questions about the effectiveness of consumption facilities in curbing synthetic-drug fatalities.
Conflicting Reports & Gaps
Statisticians note that the increase in the age-standardised death rate from 19.1 to 21.4 per 100,000 is not statistically significant, yet leaders cite the raw rise of 116 deaths as evidence of policy failure. No independent evaluation of the Thistle facility’s impact on overall mortality has been published, leaving a gap in evidence for both supporters and critics.