COSLA's Spokesperson for Health and Social Care, Councillor Paul Kelly, has today (23rd September) responded to statistics on drug-related deaths:
“Every death from drug use is a tragedy. Behind each life lost is a person, a family, and a community.
“The statistics published today are a stark reminder of the challenges we need to overcome, working together across Scotland to end these deaths.
“Local Government is committed to doing all we can, working alongside Scottish Government and wider partners, to providing essential wrap-around support to people affected by drugs and in building healthy, resilient communities. This includes working on a whole system basis to take forward our national Strategic Plan for Alcohol and Drugs.”
Notes: On 22nd September 2026 COSLA published a blog on tackling drug and alcohol harms.
Further information:
- NRS published the statistics on drug-related deaths in 2025 on 23rd September.
