Drug deaths still worst in Europe

Appalling Government record blasted.

- MARK MCGIVERN Chief Reporter

SCOTLAND'S appalling record on drug deaths has been slammed after figures showed the crisis is getting worse.

Our death rate - the worst in Europe - showed fleeting signs of decreasing but figures for the latest quarter have shown an alarming rise in fatalities.

Politicians have slammed the Scottish Government's failing national mission on drugs, which aimed to achieve quick progress on overdoses.

Scots Lib Dem leader Alex ColeHamilton said the figures were an "appalling legacy" for the First Minister, who said she took her eve off the nation's drug deaths crisis.