SCOTTISH First Minister John Swinney has launched a new £36.9 million fund aimed at shaking off Scotland’s title as drugs deaths capital of Europe.

In 2024, the last full year for which statistics are available, 1,017 died drug-related deaths in Scotland, bringing the total to 10,884 people in a decade.

While 2024 saw a 13 per cent fall, it still left Scotland with 191 deaths per million — the highest rate in Europe for the seventh year in a row.

Announcing the new Alcohol and Drugs Fund at a Public Health Scotland drugs deaths summit in Edinburgh today, Mr Swinney said: “This new fund will provide more than £36m over the next three years, supporting prevention, harm reduction, treatment and recovery.

“It will reach organisations of all sizes — from grassroots groups to larger partnerships — with particular emphasis on improving support for children, young people, and families. 

“I am clear there should be a ‘no wrong door’ approach. 

“If someone needs help, our system should be easy and quick to navigate — wrapping around the person rather than making people fit into the system.”