HC Deb 08 July 1996 vol 281 cc54-5W
Mr. Welsh

To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will list the numbers of deaths in Scotland caused by illegal drugs in each year since 1990; and if he will give a breakdown of specific drugs which caused these deaths. [35674]

Lord James Douglas-Hamilton

[holding answer 4 July 1996]: The available information, relating to the years 1992–1994, is contained in a paper published by the Registrar General in June 1995, "Collection of information on drug-related deaths by the General Register Office for Scotland." A copy of this is in the Library of the House. Corresponding figures for calendar year 1995 are being prepared and will be published shortly.

The paper notes that the number of deaths from drugs in Scotland in 1994 of those known or suspected to be drug-dependent was 139. The total number of deaths due to drugs, excluding suicides, was 247.