The Scottish Conservatives have slammed the SNP for presiding over 35,000 deaths due to drugs or alcohol in Scotland since they came to power in 2007, as the party launched a new policy paper today.
Shadow drugs and alcohol minister Annie Wells says the figures should be a “source of shame” for SNP ministers, with Scotland’s narcotics fatality rate continuing to be the worst in Europe on their watch.
Since 2007, over 15,000 Scots have lost their lives because of drugs, while over 20,000 Scots have died due to alcohol.
Drug deaths peaked at 1,339 in 2020 and have been over 1,000 in each year since 2018, compared to 455 fatalities in 2007. Alcohol deaths have been only fewer than 1,000 in one year during the SNP’s time in office.
The Scottish Conservatives’ new policy paper pledges to shut down The Thistle drug consumption facility in Glasgow, as well as promising to scrap the SNP’s flagship minimum unit pricing policy for alcohol.
Annie Wells says the SNP cannot remain wedded to their “failed approach” which is continuing to destroy lives and leave those struggling with addiction with nowhere to turn to for support.
Scottish Conservative shadow minister for drugs and alcohol Annie Wells MSP said: “These shocking figures should be a source of shame for SNP ministers.
“Behind these statistics are over 35,000 grieving families who have lost loved ones to drugs or alcohol since the SNP came to power.
“Our drug death rate remains the worst in Europe and spiralled due to Nicola Sturgeon taking her eye off the ball, while the Nationalists have done nothing to tackle Scotland’s dangerous relationship with alcohol.
“The SNP cannot remain wedded to their failed approach, which is continuing to destroy so many lives. That is why we have brought forward bold new policies to address this national emergency.
“The millions wasted on policies which are not working should be funding an expansion of rehabilitation and treatment places for those struggling with addiction, to put them on a proper road to recovery.
“The SNP cannot be allowed another five years to continue letting down vulnerable Scots.
“If Scots want to ensure we properly tackle the scandalous rate of drug and alcohol deaths, then they should use their peach ballot paper, wherever they are in the country, to vote Scottish Conservative and stop an SNP majority.”
Notes:
A copy of the policy paper is attached
There were 15,249 drug-related deaths in Scotland between 2007 and 2024. Drug-related deaths increased from 455 in 2007 to 1,017 in 2024. (National Records of Scotland, 2 September 2025, link)
There were 20,735 alcohol-related deaths in Scotland between 2007 and 2024. Alcohol-related deaths in Scotland have remained above 1,000 for the last twelve years in a row. (National Records of Scotland, 23 September 2025, link)
There have been over 35,000 drug and alcohol related deaths since the SNP took office in 2007. There were 15,249 drug-related deaths between 2007 and 2024, and 20,735 alcohol-related deaths. (National Records of Scotland, 23 September 2025, link; National Records of Scotland, 2 September 2025, link)
Glasgow saw the highest level of drug-related deaths and alcohol-related deaths in 2024. There were 155 alcohol-related deaths in Glasgow in 2024 and 185 drug-related deaths in Glasgow in 2024. (National Records of Scotland, 23 September 2025, link; National Records of Scotland, 2 September 2025, link)