Tory MSP Graham Simpson called the figures “disturbing,” saying they indicated “a much higher rate of drug-related deaths” than before lockdown.He added: “In both South and North Lanarkshire the monthly rate of drug-related deaths is more than double this year than last.“All MSPs have been supportive of lockdown as we strive to tackle COVID-19, but we also recognise the risk to people’s mental health.
There will be complex reasons behind all these deaths but it is concerning most of those whose lives were lost had overdosed fairly recently.“That suggests we need to keep a close eye on the particularly vulnerable during this health emergency.”Rutherglen SNP MP Margaret Ferrier, said that drug addiction should be treated as a public health