Roz McCall, Scottish Conservative and Unionist MSP for the Mid Scotland and Fife region, has described the latest drug death figures in Fife as "shocking and shameful." Her remarks follow the release of new statistics revealing that 1,172 people across Scotland lost their lives to drugs in 2023, an increase of 121 deaths compared to the previous year.
In Fife alone, 73 individuals tragically died due to drug misuse in 2023, a significant increase from the 59 deaths recorded in 2022. Since 2010, a staggering 759 people in Fife have lost their lives to drugs. These figures highlight a deeply concerning trend in the region and across Scotland.
Roz McCall has called on the SNP government to back the proposed Right to Recovery Bill in the Scottish Parliament. The Bill, introduced by the Scottish Conservative and Unionists and developed in collaboration with frontline experts, seeks to enshrine in law a right to treatment, including residential rehab, for all those who need it.
Roz McCall MSP said:
"These latest figures are shocking and shameful. Behind these awful statistics are families in Fife grieving the loss of loved ones, and my thoughts are with those who are experiencing this tragedy."
She continued, "Nicola Sturgeon admitted she took her eye off the ball in tackling Scotland's drug deaths crisis, and as a result, deaths have soared. Drug-related deaths in Scotland continue to be far higher than in other parts of the UK and are the worst in Europe. It is unacceptable that those living in deprived communities are particularly harmed by this failure."
"The Right to Recovery Bill has the potential to be a game-changer for those suffering from addiction in Fife," said McCall. "There is no time for the SNP Government to waste following these shocking statistics. I will continue to urge them to pass the Right to Recovery Bill into law."
