Drugs deaths in Scotland soar to record level

Nicola Sturgeon calls figures shameful' and promises action after 1,339 people killed last year

Nicola Sturgeon has said her government is determined to tackle Scotland's escalating problem with drugs deaths, after a record 1,339 people were killed last year.

National Records of Scotland, the statistics agency, said the figure was a 5% increase on the drugs-related fatalities registered in 2019, and the seventh annual increase in a row.