Drug deaths in Inverclyde have hit a new record for the second year in a row

Last year a total of 33 people tragically lost their lives to the scourge, according to statistics published by National Records of Scotland

Almost all of them were accidental overdoses and the majority included a mix of heroin, methadone and the deadly 'street' sedative benzodiazepine.

Inverclyde is only behind the cities of Glasgow and Dundee for average number of deaths.

With the crisis expected to escalate again next year following the impact of Covid-19, local health and social care bosses have been awarded £160,000 to put a trial in place to increase the use of Naloxone, a medication which can reverse the effects of an overdose.

But Inverclyde MP Ronnie Cowan also wants local police to be included in another trial introduced by the Scottish Government where officers will carry nasal sprays to try to reduce overdoses.

Mr Cowan said: "Inverclyde's drug death figures are absolutely appalling.

"I believe we should be included and would benefit from the Scottish Government's Naloxone pilot by Police Scotland and I've spoken to the area commander about this.

"We have to remember these are 2019 figures, so it is pre-Covid and we can expect the deaths to be even higher next year."

The MP has long been campaigning for complete reform of drug policy and treating it as a public health emergency.

He said: "The problem is about poverty, isolation and lack of aspiration.

"That is why it is getting worse.

"The drugs are self medication - in many cases people are using them to forget physical, sexual and psychological abuse.

"Until we deal with that we will not deal with the drug problem.

"A huge cohort of people still see it as a lifestyle choice - they think people choose to stick a needle in their arm and we don't address the issues.

"As a result people with drug addictions are isolated and on the fringes."

The statistics show that 26 men and seven women died because of drugs.

Inverclyde's annual average drug deaths per 1,000 of the population over the last five years is the third highest in the country, but the area had the highest among the 35-44 age group, at almost twice the national average.

The latest figures chart drug deaths back to 2009, with only seven deaths 10 years ago.

The figure for 2018 was 26.

In all but three cases in 2019, the deaths were classed as accidental overdoes.

Inverclyde MSP Stuart McMillan says the figures are a 'sharp reminder to all levels of government that more must be done'.

He added: "The fact that 16 local drug-related deaths involved methadone shows that the current policy on this is not helping people recover and is certainly not preventing deaths."

A spokesperson for the health and social care partnership said each death was a tragedy.

They added: "Unfortunately addiction is an issue across the country and Inverclyde’s socio-economic challenges are undoubtedly contributing factors.

"The solutions to preventing drug-related deaths in Inverclyde requires partnership working to support the needs of this very vulnerable group within our community.

“This is being led by the alcohol and drugs partnership, which brings together the council/HSCP, health service, police, fire and rescue service, housing associations and third sector organisations.

“Together we’ve developed a local strategy based on prevention and education, treatment and care, and recovery.

“We’re also part of the Scottish Government’s national Drug Death Taskforce, which aims to co-ordinate and drive action to improve the health and wellbeing of people who use drugs and, in turn, reduce the risk of harm and death."

The Naloxone trial will start in January and run alongside a new outreach programme targeting people to ensure they are receiving the correct support, including same-day treatment.

The HSCP says it commissions several third sector organisations to deliver additional support, such as Moving On Inverclyde, Your Voice and Scottish Families Affected by Alcohol and Drugs.

It added: “We are committed to working with the community and our partners and currently we review and learn from all drug-related deaths to find out where improvements can be made to prevent any more unnecessary deaths in our communities.

“It will take time to turn the tide on drug deaths, but we’re working with our partners to do this.”