New Drug Death Figures Highlight Need for National Substance Use Service
Published: 11st September 2026
New figures published by National Records of Scotland show that 1,133 drug use deaths were registered in Scotland in 2025, an increase of 11% compared with 2024.
While the total remains below the peak recorded in 2020, the latest data highlights the continuing scale of drug-related harm affecting communities across Scotland.
For community pharmacy, these findings underline the importance of the accessible and trusted role pharmacy teams play in supporting people affected by substance use. Every day, pharmacies provide vital care through supervised treatment services, harm reduction interventions, medicines support, signposting and ongoing engagement with some of the most vulnerable people in our communities.
However, the current approach to commissioning substance use services remains fragmented across Scotland, resulting in variation in service availability, funding arrangements and patient access.
At a time when emerging threats such as nitazenes are placing additional pressure on frontline services, there is a strong case for a more consistent national approach.
We continue to advocate for the establishment of a nationally commissioned substance use service, supported by centralised funding. This would ensure pharmacy teams across Scotland are commissioned consistently and equitably to deliver evidence-based care, harm reduction measures and public health interventions where they are needed most.
A national service would help reduce unwarranted variation, improve equity of access for patients, and provide a sustainable framework for community pharmacy's contribution to tackling drug-related harm.
It would also recognise the critical role that community pharmacy plays as one of the most accessible healthcare settings in Scotland.
As policymakers and health leaders consider the implications of these latest figures, we will continue to make the case for a coordinated, nationally funded approach that enables community pharmacy teams to maximise their impact in preventing harm, supporting recovery and improving outcomes for some of Scotland's most vulnerable people.
Look out for updates on our activity at upcoming Scottish political party conferences, where we'll be meeting with elected representatives to discuss the future of community pharmacy in Scotland and policy areas such as the one discussed in this article.
This information was correct at the time of publication. Policy and guidance can change, so please check our latest news for the current position. For anything else, please contact enquiries@cps.scot
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
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The current approach to commissioning substance use services varies across Scotland, creating differences in service availability, funding arrangements and patient access. A nationally commissioned service could help provide more consistent and equitable access to care.
Source: Sarah Staddon, Community Pharmacy Scotland
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Community pharmacies provide supervised treatment services, harm reduction interventions, medicines support, signposting and ongoing engagement with people affected by substance use.
Source: Sarah Staddon, Community Pharmacy Scotland
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A national service could reduce variation in service delivery, improve equity of access and help ensure people can access evidence-based care, harm reduction measures and public health interventions regardless of where they live.
Source: Sarah Staddon, Community Pharmacy Scotland
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The figures demonstrate the continuing scale of drug-related harm across Scotland and reinforce the importance of community pharmacy's role in supporting vulnerable patients and contributing to public health efforts.
Source: Sarah Staddon, Community Pharmacy Scotland
The Sustainable Prescribing and Therapeutics Programme, are seeking examples of best practice in effective medicines use and approaches on reducing medicines waste within different healthcare settings