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Commenting today on this further analysis of drug-related deaths in Scotland, previously released last August, the Minister for Community Safety Roseanna Cunningham said:

"The figures in today's report are not new but the further information contained in it will help us better understand these tragic deaths - which to the families and friends of those involved representative a lost loved one and life cut short. This in turn will help us take continued action to prevent such deaths.

“It is encouraging that fewer young people are dying from drugs which is in keeping with wider statistics on drug use in Scotland. These show a decrease in reported drug use amongst the general adult population, and that use by young people is at its lowest for over a decade.

"However, this report also confirms that, in Scotland, we are dealing with an ageing cohort of people with a long legacy of drug use and we must continue to work together to ensure that this vulnerable group, who have been using drugs for many years and who experience other chronic medical conditions, receive the appropriate care and support.

"Following on from the recommendations of the expert group on opioid replacement therapy, we are also working to improve access to the range of drug treatment and support services across the country through the Quality Improvement Framework.

“We are tackling the damaging impact of drugs in Scotland and making recovery from drugs a reality through our national drugs strategy, the Road to Recovery. Our drugs strategy – backed by cross-party support - aims to ensure that those who need treatment, get it as soon as possible. Indeed, more than 95 per cent of people are receiving this within three weeks of referral, and why we have invested record amounts in frontline services to help people recover - £30.3m in 2013/14, an increase of more than 20 per cent since 2006/07.”

"For the first time, this report also includes information on deaths related to New Psychoactive Substances, also known as legal highs. Working with our partners, we have already made sure these new drugs are a priority for Scotland’s Drug and Alcohol Partnerships, drug charities, police and health authorities.

“In addition, a summit is to be held next month to discuss ways to crack down on Scotland’s sale and supply of new psychoactive substance. The summit, which follows a workshop held on the issue last year, will focus on enforcement, exploring in more depth legislative options available to tackle legal highs.

Dr Roy Robertson, Chair of the National Forum of Drug Related Deaths, added:

"The National Forum on Drug Related Deaths continues to be committed to developing and recommending familiar and new strategies to preventing drug deaths in Scotland.

“Every drug death is a tragedy. The National Drug Deaths database has made considerable progress in identifying the reasons and situations which create the greatest risk of such a death in Scotland. Older people who live alone, misuse more than one drug and who are not receiving treatment remain the most at risk of dying prematurely.

“The work on the database, led and directed by the Forum, has allowed for new ideas and innovative opportunities in prevention strategies, such as strengthening the development of national take home naloxone programme. This year, the database has also provided invaluable insight into two "types " of drug deaths - those related to suicides and those in which a psychoactive substance (legal high) was involved. The evidence from this part of the report shows that drug deaths affect all walks of life and it is crucial, therefore, that there an innovative and diverse approach to tackling this.

“Key recommendations are targeted at drug death prevention activities aimed at highest risk populations as well at re-iterating the need for more data, research and collaboration."

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