Midlothian drugs deaths double in a decade

The latest statistics from the National records for Scotland revealed that the number of drug-related deaths in Midlothian in 2019 was 18 compared to 14 in 2018.

But it also revealed that the number of drugs-related deaths was double those recorded in 2009.

In total, 13 men and five women died from drugs-related deaths in Midlothian  last year.

Heroin was recorded in connection with seven of the deaths, with 16 in total involving opiates.

Two-thirds of the deaths involved the use of  ‘street benzodiazepine’, or street valium as it is more commonly known, with only one recording alcohol as a factor.

Across Scotland, the number of drug deaths increased to its highest recorded last year with 1,264 deaths – more than double what it was a decade ago.

Most of the increases in deaths occurred in the 35-44 age group, with a rise in deaths among those aged 45 to 54 also recorded.