The number of suspected drug deaths in Scotland increased by 10% in 2023, according to new figures from Police Scotland.

Statistics released on Tuesday covering the last three months of 2023, show there were 297 suspected drug deaths recorded, bringing the total for the year to 1,197, That is 105 more than in 2022 when 1,092 were recorded.

The sharp increase follows a decline in recent years. Last August, the then drugs minister, Elena Whitham even claimed the government was "turning the tide on the drugs death crisis".

However, the minister did admit at the time she was concerned about the dangers posed by synthetic opioids.

A crackdown on opium in Afghanistan by the Taliban has had a significant impact on the global supply, increasing demand for laboratory-created substances such as fentanyl.

They can be up to 50 times stronger than heroin and 100 times more potent than morphine.

READ MORE: 'Tide is turning' on Scotland's drug death crisis says minister

It is not clear if that is partly to blame for the spike. Unlike the annual statistics, normally released in the summer, the quarterly figures do not give details on the substances used.

They do show that 875 of last year’s suspected drug deaths were men, around 73%.

The majority of suspected drug deaths, some 66%, were of people aged between 35 and 54.

There were 54 suspected drug deaths in the under 25 age group, 5% The Greater Glasgow police division had 303 suspected drug deaths, more than double the number in Lanarkshire, where 147 were recorded.

Edinburgh City lost 118 people.

Speaking at an event in London, Humza Yousaf said the figures were "deeply worrying."

He added: “But that’s why we’ll work right across parties – Conservative, Labour, Liberal Democrat, Greens – work with whoever we need to work with to provide additional residential rehab, for example, to make sure that were get same-day treatment for those that are suffering substance abuse.”

The First Minister continued: “What I am committed to do is increasing funding, but I want to acknowledge that these figures are deeply distressing, concerning, worrying, but I give an absolute assurance to everybody that has an interest in this issue that we will not waver from our commitment to tackle drugs deaths in Scotland which are far too high.”

Scottish Liberal Democrat leader Alex Cole-Hamilton said: “When 100 people a month are dying in Scotland’s drugs deaths emergency, we need to be open to anything that will save them. Each represents a life cut short and a family torn apart by grief.

“These numbers are already going in the wrong direction and with the SNP and Greens having pushed through a budget that delivers a real-terms cut to drug services, I am extremely concerned that problems will simply get worse.”

Scottish Conservative MSP Sue Webber said: “These figures are utterly appalling and heartbreaking. “Drug deaths remain Scotland’s national shame on the SNP’s watch and far too many people are grieving the loss of loved ones as a result and my thoughts are with them.

“SNP ministers look to have taken their eye off the ball again with devastating consequences. It should be a source of shame for them that despite Scotland already having by far the worst drug fatality rate in Europe, the number of deaths is on the rise again.”

READ MORE: Drug Consumption Room will be 'restricted in what it can do'

Scottish Labour health spokesperson Dame Jackie Baillie said: “This tragic rise in drug-related deaths is a clear sign that the government’s policy to tackle the crisis is not working.

“Scotland remains in the grip of a drug death health emergency with lives being needlessly lost.

“We cannot allow any more delay to the implementation of drug checking facilities and the pilot safer drug consumption room in Glasgow.

“Despite the fact that over 5,200 lives have been lost to drugs since a public health emergency was declared, it is shocking that this SNP Government’s budget for 2024/25 froze drug and alcohol spending, which amounts to a real terms cut."

Ester Kincová, Public Affairs and Policy Manager, Transform Drug Policy Foundation said: "While some positive policy developments may be helping reduce drug-related deaths, the rising prevalence of synthetic opioids in the drug supply may well be driving the number up by more.

"And the problem is only going to get worse in the coming months. We urgently need an emergency public health response. 

"Scotland needs to accelerate the opening of Glasgow’s overdose prevention centre and open more, decriminalise the possession of drugs for personal use to achieve a public health success like Portugal, and expand regulated heroin prescribing.

"We know these responses work - we just need to see the political will to make it happen."