Scots drug deaths fall slightly

Drug-related deaths in Scotland have fallen slightly, but the figure is the second-highest on record, according to the latest official figures.
There were 581 deaths in 2012 – three fewer than in 2011, said the General Register Office for Scotland.

Heroin potentially caused 38% of deaths while the heroin substitute, methadone, was implicated in 41% of cases.

The figures also showed a third of deaths – 34% – were among people aged 35-44.