Scottish cities

Problem drug use in selected Scottish cities

In 2015/16, Glasgow had the highest rate of estimated problem drug users aged 15-64 among Scottish cities (2.8%). Both Edinburgh and Dundee also had higher rates of problem drug users than the Scottish average (1.6%).            

Notes

Estimates of problem drug users aged 15-64, as published by the Information Services Division (ISD) of NHS National Services Scotland (now part of Public Health Scotland). These estimates for 2015/16 were the latest estimates available when this publication was produced. Some of the estimates are subject to potentially large percentage margins of error.  

The full report is published here on the PHS/ISD website: https://www.isdscotland.org/Health-Topics/Drugs-and-Alcohol-Misuse/Drugs-Misuse/Prevalence-of-Problem-Drug-Use/

Drug-related deaths trend across Scottish cities

The rate of drug-related deaths per 100,000 population in Scotland has been increasing since 2010 and has increased in all the Scottish cities. The rates of drug deaths in Glasgow and Dundee have been consistently higher than the Scottish average over the last 15 years.

Drug-related deaths per 100,000 population by age group across Scottish cities

The rate of drug-related deaths was highest among 35-44 year olds in Dundee in the period 2017-2021. In Glasgow, the rate of drug deaths peaked among an older cohort of 45-54 year olds.

Notes

These data were taken from the annual drug death report published by National Records for Scotland.

Drug-related deaths are identified from death registrations and a specially-designed questionnaire completed by forensic pathologists. The forensic pathologists list the drugs and solvents identified for the deceased. For further details please refer to the above report.

Trends in rates of drug-related deaths in Glasgow compared to other cities in the UK are presented in the Excess Mortality section.

This page was last updated in August 2022.