Dundee had 38 drug deaths in 2022, the lowest figure recorded in the city since 2016.
Official figures show 14 fewer deaths related to drugs in the city, which had previously been branded the drugs death capital of Europe.
It means Dundee had a drug-death rate of 25.72 per 100,000 in 2022, down from over 35 in 2021. This remains the second highest rate in Scotland after Glasgow.
Across Scotland a record year-on-year decrease in drug deaths was recorded, with 1,051 deaths linked to illicit substances, down from 1,330 in 2021.
Despite the national decrease, deaths linked to drugs Perth and Kinross increased by one to 21. Angus also saw an increase from 17 to 18.
In Fife a total of 59 drug deaths were recorded, down from 70 in 2021.
The vast majority of drug misuse deaths were ruled as accidental, with only 7% classed as intentional self-poisoning.
Opioids such as heroin and morphine continue to account for the majority of deaths – with the drugs identified in 82% of cases.
National Records of Scotland data shows benzodiazepines like diazepam played a role in 52% of deaths, while 35% of deaths were linked to cocaine.
The progress in Dundee was welcomed by leaders of organisations in the city working to reduce drug-related harm.
Dundee City Council leader John Alexander said: “Our goal is clear – to cut the deaths.
“There is absolute determination in Dundee to reduce the harm caused by alcohol and drugs in our communities.
“I want see Dundee become a City of Recovery, and that is only possible through the partnership strength that is displayed across organisations and the third sector in Dundee.
“There is no simple answer available in single place for this decades-old problem. But I am convinced that we can bring the city into the future together, showing kindness, compassion and hope to everyone.”
NHS Tayside director of public health Dr Emma Fletcher and Superintendent Nicola Shepherd, interim co-chairs of the Dundee Alcohol and Drug Partnership (ADP), said: “No one should be dying from substance-related harm, be it drugs, alcohol or tobacco.
“This decrease in drug deaths in Dundee is welcomed but still people, families, friends and communities are losing loved ones prematurely.
“Problem substance use is devastating for everyone it affects and people who develop problem substance use need all of our support.”
They added: “All members of the ADP are committed to making a difference for the people of Dundee.
“In addition to continuing to improve the way in which services are delivered, we have further increased the support we provide to people who have experienced a non-fatal overdose, extended the provision and availability of naloxone, and worked across our organisations to address the wider causes of substance use.”
Scottish Government drugs minister Elena Whitham welcomed the decrease in number of drug-related deaths, but said every live lost was a tragedy.
Number of Scottish drug deaths ‘still too high’
She said: “My sympathy goes out to all those affected by the loss of a loved one through drugs.
“While I am pleased to see that hundreds of families have been spared this agony and lives have been saved, every life lost is a tragedy and the number of deaths is still too high.
“I will never underestimate the scale of the challenge we continue to face, including responding to new threats such as synthetic opioids and stimulant use.”
Ms Whitham previously called for the UK Government to support its call to decriminalise the possession of all illegal drugs.
They say the move would allow people found in possession of drugs to be treated and supported rather than criminalised and excluded.
But the proposal was immediately reject by the Conservative government, with power over the Misuse of Drugs Act remaining at Westminster.
Scottish Conservative leader Douglas Ross said while the figures showed progress, Scotland’s drug fatality was the worst in Europe by an “alarming” distance.
He said: “SNP ministers have a duty to explain why, in Nicola Sturgeon’s words, they took their eye off the ball as this national emergency spiralled out of control and cut money from drug treatment programmes.”
The MSP has called on the government to back his party’s “right to recovery” proposal.
He added: “This landmark legislation, which has the backing of experts in the field of addiction, would tackle the problem of accessing treatment by enshrining in law the right of everyone to receive a recovery programme tailored to their needs.
“Humza Yousaf has made supportive comments on Right to Recovery; now is the time for him to finally rally the SNP behind it, so that we can get this game-changing bill into law.”
Conversation