Suspected drug deaths falls

THE number of suspected drug deaths in Dumfries and Galloway has fallen, according to the latest data. Latest statistics from Police Scotland, show a total of 30 people lost their lives from suspected drug activity – a reduction of eight on the previous corresponding period in 2024. A further breakdown of the figures found that seven people died during the first quarter of this year, an identical number lost their lives between April to June, while a total of 16 lost their lives in the July to September period. But the decline in deaths has not reassured Galloway and West MSP Finlay Carson. He has warned that the battle is far from won, warning that nobody should become complacent by the latest drop. Mr Carson said: “The fact of the matter is that the Government is still failing to tackle the drug deaths emergency. “While there has been a fall in suspected drug deaths locally that should be encouraged, the drop is far from convincing and remains of abject concern to a lot of people and families. “As I have always maintained throughout just one death from drugs is simply one too many and everything possible must be done to ensure this is tackled full on.”