Illicit Drug Deaths Rise Again in Scotland, but How Does England Compare?

New figures released today show that drug-related deaths in Scotland have risen sharply again, raising the question of whether this is predominantly a Scottish crisis or part of a wider problem across the United Kingdom.

National Records of Scotland recorded 1,133 drug-related deaths in 2025, an increase of 116, or 11%, from 2024. The age-standardised rate was 21.4 deaths per 100,000 population.

Particularly concerning is the emergence of synthetic opioids. Nitazenes were implicated in 247 Scottish deaths in 2025, more than three times the 76 recorded in 2024. Opiates and opioids were implicated in 78% of deaths, while cocaine was implicated in 52%.

Scotland remains the clear UK outlier. However, England, Wales and Northern Ireland also have serious problems.

UK Comparison

*Different UK statistical publications use slightly different definitions and methodologies, so comparisons require caution.

England's lower national rate can also disguise major county and area inequalities. In 2024, 5,129 drug-poisoning deaths were registered in England, compared with 5,053 in 2023.

The North East recorded 167.6 deaths per million, almost twice England's overall rate of 91.1. It has now had England's highest rate for 12 consecutive years.

This is therefore not simply a Scottish problem.

Deprivation, Ageing Demographics, and Treatment Funding

There is also a strong connection with deprivation. In Scotland, the drug-related death rate in the most deprived areas was 15 times that of the least deprived areas in 2025. Northern Ireland shows a similar pattern, while England has historically recorded particularly severe problems in deprived northern and coastal communities. ONS research has previously identified seaside locations among hotspots for heroin and morphine deaths.

Age is another important factor.

Scotland's average age at drug-related death has risen from 32 in 2000 to 46 in 2025. In England and Wales, the highest drug-misuse death rate in 2024 was among people aged 40 to 49. This increasingly looks like a crisis involving an ageing population with long histories of drug dependency rather than predominantly younger recreational drug users.

England has increased investment rather than simply cutting treatment funding. Additional targeted drug and alcohol treatment funding reached £310 million in 2025/26, and from 2026/27 approximately £1.1 billion is ring-fenced for drug and alcohol services within the English public health grant. Numbers receiving treatment have also increased.

Stephen Morris, General Secretary of the Workers of England Union, said:

“Behind every one of these statistics is a person, a family and a community. Scotland's figures are shocking, but England cannot look at them and believe this is somebody else's problem. The enormous differences between counties and the links with deprivation require us to ask whether treatment and prevention resources are reaching the communities where they are needed most.”

The figures suggest Britain faces a changing drugs crisis. An ageing population of long-term users, profound geographical inequality and increasingly dangerous synthetic opioids. Scotland is experiencing its most severe effects, but England, Wales and Northern Ireland are far from immune.

References: (National Records of Scotland, Drug-related deaths in Scotland, 2025, 23 September 2026; Office for National Statistics, Deaths related to drug poisoning in England and Wales: 2024 registrations, 17 October 2025; Northern Ireland Statistics and Research Agency, Drug-related and drug misuse deaths 2014-2024, 13 May 2026; Department of Health and Social Care, Drug and alcohol treatment and recovery funding allocations: 2025 to 2026; Department of Health and Social Care, Public health grants to local authorities: 2026 to 2027; Office for Health Improvement and Disparities, Adult substance misuse treatment statistics 2024 to 2025; Office for National Statistics, Heroin/morphine misuse death hotspots in England and Wales)

Key Takeaways

• Rise in Scottish Drug Deaths: National Records of Scotland reported 1,133 drug-related deaths in 2025 (up 11%), with an age-standardised rate of 21.4 per 100,000.
• Surge in Synthetic Opioids: Nitazenes were implicated in 247 deaths in Scotland in 2025, representing a more than threefold increase from 2024.
• UK Regional & Deprivation Disparities: While Scotland leads UK rates (214/million), England's North East recorded 167.6/million, with deaths heavily concentrated in deprived areas.
• Ageing Demographics & Investment: Average age of drug death rose to 46 in Scotland, as England ring-fences £1.1 billion for public health drug and alcohol services for 2026/27.