Nicola Sturgeon was urged to intervene in the “human crisis” of drug abuse in Dundee.
The city is on course to retain its status as the drugs death capital of the UK following the publication of shock figures for the start of the year.
There were 12 suspected drug-related deaths in January in Dundee, compared with 38 for the whole of 2016.
Speaking at First Minister’s Questions, Labour MSP Jenny Marra said: “Dundee has the highest drugs death rate in Scotland.
“Scotland’s rate is far above the UK average and the UK’s drugs death rate far exceeds the European average.
“This is a human crisis deep in the heart of our communities.
“What can the First Minister’s government to help reduce drugs deaths in Dundee and across the country?”
Ms Sturgeon said a planned drugs commission from Dundee Alcohol and Drug Partnership will help tackle the issue.
She told MSPs: “It is absolutely important that we do everything we can now to tackle and address that.
“That’s why we take a public health approach to problem drug misuse and we are reviewing our national drug strategy so it’s founded on the principles of seek, keep and treat.
“The nature of Scotland’s drug problem has changed and that’s one of the reasons why we are introducing a combined drug and alcohol treatment strategy.
“We are also investing significant sums of money to tackle problem drug and alcohol misuse.”
The SNP leader said drugs deaths in Scotland is “driven by an older cohort of chaotic drug users” with several health problems.
She added there is hope for the future as drug-taking falls and remains low for younger people.
