Every drug death is “a tragedy”, according to South Scotland MSP Colin Smyth.

Statistics released this week showed a drop in drug misuse deaths in Dumfries and Galloway in 2023, from 37 in 2022 to 12 in 2023.

However, across Scotland, the National Records of Scotland data for 2023 revealed that 1,172 people died – an increase of 121 on the previous 12 months.

Commenting on the latest figures, Colin Smyth said: “Every single drug death is a tragedy and we should never forget that behind each of these figures is a person whose life has been cut far too short and a family who have lost a loved one.

“I very much welcome the drop in drug death numbers in Dumfries and Galloway, these are the lowest figures since 2015, but they are still double compared with just over a decade ago.

“Across Scotland you can see how much work still needs to be done.

“Cuts in funding for rehab a few years ago are still taking a heavy toll, and just with any disease, we urgently need to see more investment to treat what is ultimately a health crisis.

“Unless we tackle the underlying causes of this disease such as poverty, poor housing, and the shocking education attainment gap, then we will fail to get to grips on the crisis.”