Oversight and assurance

In 2023, 1,172 drug misuse deaths were reported in Scotland. This represents a 12% (121) increase in deaths on the previous year. This is the second lowest number of deaths recorded since 2017, however this means that Scotland has the highest number of drug related deaths in Europe. Opiates and opioids were implicated in 80% of these deaths. This increase in deaths highlights the importance of the continued availability and use of Naloxone.

Police Scotland regularly report publicly on the use of Naloxone by its officers. By 30 August 2023, there were 325 recorded incidents . In all but eight instances, those who were administered Naloxone survived.

Police Scotland have detailed the use of Naloxone by officers to the Authority’s People Committee, and precautions that officers may need to consider when administering Naloxone.

The Authority first published a factsheet on Naloxone in October 2021.