DRUG deaths in Inverclyde have almost doubled in the last 10 years.

Figures released by the National Records of Scotland show that there were 16 drug-related deaths last year.

This compares with only seven in 2005.

The figure is in keeping with the national trend, which saw Scotland hit a record high with a total of 706 people dying as a result of drug abuse in 2015 – the highest number ever recorded.

Opiates were implicated in most of the deaths at 13 and heroin/morphine or Buprenorphine for 10, while methadone accounted for nine and three were caused by alcohol.

The Inverclyde figure is slightly down on last year, which hit 17, but has risen by six compared with 2013.

Annual averages have also risen locally. The average between 2001 and 2005 was nine and between 2011 and 2015 was 15.

The number of drug deaths in Scotland have been steadily increasing since 1995, when 426 deaths were recorded.

Addaction Scotland, which is the largest provider of drug and alcohol services in Scotland, has raised its concerns.

A spokesman said: “We are deeply concerned with the continuing upward trend in drug-related deaths. The rate is now higher than at any point since records began.

“In our experience, the people sadly dying tend to be older drug users with poor physical and mental health issues. 

“As drug deaths rise, the provision of fixed site needle exchanges has fallen. 

“These were often the entry point for people to engage in treatment. Indeed, we welcome plans to pilot and evaluate drug consumption rooms as part of a renewed harm reduction approach.”

“The situation of increasing drug related deaths is not helped by the uncertainty of current and future funding of services. 

“Across Addaction we are concerned when essential services like ours are often being asked to make efficiency savings of around 20 per cent.”