POLICE have registered eight suspected and five confirmed drugs deaths in Inverclyde during an eight-month period.
The details are contained in a report to the local Police & Fire Scrutiny Panel.
The report says experts are waiting for toxicology results in the cases of suspected drugs-related deaths.
But analysis of confirmed deaths between April 1 and November 30 last year show cocaine, heroin and Etizolam were common factors.
The report said: "Police in Inverclyde continue to work alongside a range of partners to tackle drug related harms, with the vast majority of frontline officers now carrying Naloxone and being able to intervene in life threatening situations.
"Other initiatives include the delivery of educational inputs to schools by local officers and continued proactivity relating to the supply and distribution of illicit drugs within Inverclyde’s communities."
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules here