SCOTLAND’s £30million methadone programme faced criticism last night after the heroin substitute was linked to a third of all drugs deaths last year.
New figures revealed that 173 people died after taking taxpayer-funded methadone as deaths amongst drug users spiralled to 545 during 2009. More than 300 people died on heroin and morphine, despite 23 million doses of the substitute being handed out to junkies last year to try to wean them off hard drugs.
The statistics were released as Professor Sir Ian Gilmore, the outgoing president of the Royal College of Physicians (RCP), sparked controversy by suggesting that legalising heroin and cocaine would cut crime and improve health. Despite recording a drop in drugs deaths of 5 per cent on 2008, ministers came under fire yesterday as it emerged that the 2009 figures were the second worst ever recorded. The Scottish Government was yesterday accused of an “over-reliance” on methadone, with critics claiming it does little to help people to kick their addictions. Tory deputy leader Murdo Fraser said: “There has been a welcome fall in drug-related deaths but these are still the second worst figures on record.” He added: “The attempts of the last decade to merely manage the problem, based on harm reduction and an over reliance on methadone, have not worked. The challenge now is to expand the range of rehabilitation services on offer and move to abstinence and recovery.” The Greater Glasgow and Clyde NHS area had the highest local death rate at a record 200, while NHS Grampian saw an increase to a new high of 52. Alcohol was implicated in 165 deaths, almost a third, according to the figures from the General Register Office for Scotland.
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