The SNP have been accused of an “abject failure” to tackle Scotland’s drugs epidemic after paramedics were forced to deal with a record number of overdoses in 2025.
Figures obtained by the Scottish Conservatives, via Freedom of Information laws, show that ambulance crews administered naloxone – which is used to treat overdoses – in up to 4,172 cases last year.
This compares to up to 3,563 cases in 2024, 4,154 in 2023, and 3,776 in 2022.
Shadow drugs minister Annie Wells said that Scotland’s “shameful” drugs-death rate – the worst in Europe under the SNP – would be even worse without the efforts of our “heroic” ambulance service.
Scottish Conservative shadow drugs minister Annie Wells MSP said: “These alarming figures expose the huge toll that Scotland’s drugs crisis is taking on our ambulance service.
“Thankfully Scotland’s over-stretched paramedics are intervening to save lives, but they have been forced to deal with a record number of overdoses thanks to the SNP’s abject failure to tackle the drug trade in Scotland.
“Under the Nationalists, Scotland is the drugs-death capital of Europe and if it wasn’t for our heroic ambulance crews, that shameful and heartbreaking toll would be far higher still.
“If the SNP had their way and decriminalised drugs, the overdose figures would be worse still.
“It is disgraceful that the Nationalists voted down our game-changing Right to Recovery Bill, which would have guaranteed treatment, including residential rehab, for all those suffering from drug or alcohol addiction.”
Notes to editors
2025 saw a record amount of naloxone administered by ambulance workers. There were up to 4,172 admissions of naloxone by ambulance staff in 2025. There were up to 3,563 in 2024, 4,154 in 2023, and 3,776 in 2022. (Scottish Ambulance Service FOI, 23 January 2026, available upon request)
This is a count of cases where the crew used the Naloxone (Narcan) drug button on the patient report forms. This count will not include cases where Naloxone was administered by bystanders or from the patient’s own supply.
Naloxone is an emergency antidote for overdoses caused by heroin and other opiates or opioids. This includes drugs such as methadone, morphine, nitazenes and fentanyl. The main life-threatening effect of heroin and other opiates is to slow down and stop breathing. Naloxone blocks this effect and reverses the breathing difficulties.
The SNP advocate decriminalising all drugs for personal use. The SNP say, “Among our proposals are the decriminalisation of drugs for personal use. Possession of drugs with an intent to supply and dealing illegal drugs would remain a criminal offence.” (SNP, 13 July 2023, link)