Police assurances over drug related deaths

POLICE have given assurances that they are working hard to find the dealers connected to 18 drug-related deaths in Dumfries and Galloway this year.

In the first ten months of 2025, there were 18 confirmed drug-related deaths recorded, along with a further 11 possible cases, which are awaiting toxicology results.

The previous year there were 26 confirmed deaths due to drugs, writes Marc McLean.

Chief Superintendent Steven Meikle, divisional commander for Dumfries and Galloway, said recently: “We are trying to target the drugs suppliers upstream at all times.”

Drug dealing and people sadly losing their lives as a result of addiction and overdoses were discussed at a recent meeting of the council’s police, fire and rescue sub-committee.

A crime report tabled at the meeting also revealed that drug supply charges rose from 37 in 2024/25 to 52 in 2025/26.

Dee and Glenkens Councillor Andy McFarlane said: “We’ve got 18 confirmed drugs related deaths and then we’ve got an increase in drug supply charges.

“Do we know are any of those linked to any of those deaths?”

Chief Superintendent Meikle said: “In relation to the increase in drugs supply charges. It’s quite difficult for me to answer that specifically.

“What I would say is that for every drug related death there will be ultimately a line of supply back to that victim.

“So we are trying to target the drugs suppliers upstream at all times.

“Whilst I couldn’t be absolutely certain that these are the supply charges linked back to any specific drug related death, the fact of the matter is these individuals are involved in the supply chain.

“Inevitably they are going back to a potential drug death victim.”