Drug-related deaths in Fife reach highest point on record
Fife has recorded its highest-ever number of drug-related deaths.
According to new data released by the National Records of Scotland today, 81 people in the Kingdom died as a result of substance use last year.
That is almost double what it was just four years ago, and a rise of 17 on the previous year.
It comes as the number of drug-related deaths across Scotland have also reached their highest point on record.
A total of 1,264 people died in 2019 - a rise of 6% from 2018 - the highest since records began in 1996.
The data shows that nearly seven in 10 deaths involved men and over two-thirds were aged 35-54.