Police Scotland reports 18 Highland drug deaths amid rise in dealing offences as Chief Superintendent Robert Shepherd says the numbers are of ‘significant concern’

Police Scotland have reported a rise in drug deaths as well as drug dealing in new figures that are due to be reported to Highland Council with 18 fatalities – up three on the previous year..

The reporting period runs from April to the end of December 2024 meaning the numbers are both incomplete and an indication of a significant problem.

The five year average for drug deaths is 24, the three year average is 26.3 while the year to date for the 12 months of 2023/2024 stands at 15 but for the nine months (April-December) the number of deaths stand at 18.

At the same time drug supply offences are clearly rising but they come with a 73 per cent detection rate but when set against the five and three year averages – 103.2 and 89.7 respectively – are much lower than the 137 offences this year.

That represents about a 33 per cent increase compared to the five year figures and 52 per cent higher than the three year numbers.

Ch Supt Shepherd said: “The figure provided in relation to Drug Deaths is an estimated figure at time of publication.

“This is the total number in the reporting period in which N Division are treating as a suspected Drug Death, however the figure is subject to change as Post Mortem results and other information are received from NHS Highland.

“Drug Related Deaths within the N Division area (Highland) is of significant concern. N Division continues to work with Partner Agencies in order to support individuals who find themselves involved with alcohol and controlled substance misuse.

“Every Drug Related Death within the N Division area is reviewed by the Harm Prevention Officer (HPO)”.