More than 1,200 people in Scotland died of drug misuse last year according to new figures.
The much-delayed figures show a record number of deaths for the sixth year in a row and the highest total since records began in 1996.
The figure of 1,264 is a 6% increase on 2018 and more than double the number of deaths in 2014.
It is the worst rate recorded in Europe and more than three times the rate for England and Wales.
The National Records of Scotland statistics are six months late after a huge backlog in processing toxicology results and delays due to Covid-19.
They show that two-thirds of those who died were aged 35 to 54.
The report said the median average age of drug-related deaths had gone up from 28 to 42 over the past two decades.
However, there was also an increase in deaths among 15 to 24 year olds – from 64 in 2018 to 76 in 2019.
Three-quarters of the deaths occurred in five health board areas.
Greater Glasgow and Clyde had 404 deaths, Lanarkshire 163, Lothian 155, Tayside 118 and Ayrshire and Arran 108.
The SNP are solely responsible for health in Scotland and have been slammed by opposition politicians for this sickening statistic under their watch.
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