Scotland drug deaths rise 11% to 1,133 in 2025, worst rate in Europe

Drug deaths in Scotland rose 11% to 1,133 in 2025, the BBC reported on September 23, maintaining Scotland's position as having the worst drug death rate in Europe at 214 deaths per million people.

Synthetic opioids driving deaths

Nitazenes, a class of potent synthetic opioids often many times stronger than heroin, were implicated in 247 of the deaths. Health officials have warned that these synthetic substances are increasingly being found mixed into other drug supplies, making them particularly dangerous for users who may not know they are present. The Scottish government has faced criticism over its approach to tackling the drug death crisis, with harm reduction advocates calling for more radical measures.