DRUG related deaths in South Ayrshire have risen from 2014 with the number of deaths nearly tripling over the last decade. 

In 2014, The National Records of Scotland announced there were 11 drug related fatalities in South Ayrshire.
A year later that figure had increased to 14.

Over the same period, there was also a massive rise in alcohol related deaths in South Ayrshire with none being recorded in 2014 and the latest figures showing six people had lost their lives. 

MSP John Scott said that South Ayrshire has to be more vigilant when it comes to drugs and wishes for a reform in drug treatment.

The representative for Ayr said: “What these figures show is that drug-related deaths in Ayrshire have nearly tripled over the last decade with 43 lives being lost locally last year as a result of drug abuse.

“These 43 cases are a tragedy for each of the individuals and families concerned.

“But they are also clear evidence of the need to redouble the effort to tackle the issues behind drug abuse.

 “We need to reform drug treatment so that abstinence and full recovery is the goal, instead of the routine maintenance of people’s addictions with substitute drugs.”