SOARING numbers of drug deaths in Scotland are being fuelled by addicts failing to quit heroin because of the heightened stigma surrounding treatments such as methadone replacement, an expert has warned.

Gareth Balmer, a service manager with drug and alcohol support charity Addaction said stigma about drug users – like that portrayed by Still Game’s Methadone Mick – was putting some off seeking help, as drug deaths in Scotland soared to a record high.

New figures from National Records of Scotland showed the number of overdose deaths soared last year by 23 per cent, to 867, with use of opiates such as heroin a factor in 88 per cent of deaths.

Analysis: David Liddell on why reforming our treatment strategy is the only way to reduce fatalities

They show a lethal trend accelerating - the number of drug deaths has doubled since 1995, and last year’s figure of 706 was a 15 per cent increase on the previous year.

The Scottish Government said the deaths, largely among people over 35, were part of a general trend across Europe caused by an ageing cohort of long term drug users.

However critics said the average age of those dying was only around 40 and Scotland’s record stands up badly to international comparison. Charities called for services to do more to help people deal with other issues such as mental health as well as addiction and warned as few as 40-50 per cent of drug users may be getting help.

Herald View: We must find new ways to reduce shameful drugs death toll

Aileen Campbell, Minister for Public Health said the Scottish Government had recently announced plans to “refresh” its Road to Recovery drugs strategy. This would include a new ‘Seek, Keep, Treat’ programme which will make adapt their approaches to meet the needs of each drug user, Ms Campbell said. “There are no easy solutions but we recognise that more needs to be done,” she added.

However no details of the proposals have been published and there has been no consultation over changes to the strategy.

Addaction Scotland described the figures as a national badge of shame, and claimed Scotland’s drug-induced death rate was now 60% higher than the next highest EU country.

Mr Balmer said TV’s Methadone Mick was emblematic of a falsely poor reputation for the heroin replacement drug. “There is comedy in some of these things and nobody is saying it is a perfect treatment but it does help people stay alive,” He said more needed to be done to get people into treatment and keep them there, including help with wider health care needs.

The call was backed by the Scottish Drugs Forum. Its chief executive David Liddell said: “Other countries have achieved a reduction in overdose deaths by ensuring that people are appropriately retained in high-quality treatment and we must aspire to do the same.”

Analysis: David Liddell on why reforming our treatment strategy is the only way to reduce fatalities

A charity campaigning for decriminalisaition of all drugs said the deaths were avoidable and claimed Scotland’s drug death rate was 27 times as high as that of Portugal, where drugs have been legalised. Martin Powell, of Transform Drug Policy Foundation said; “Leaders in Holyrood can stop droves of young, poor and vulnerable people dying by following the advice of the UK government’s own advisers. Decriminalise drug users, introduce safer drug consumption rooms, prescribe heroin, and properly fund treatment. [In the] longer term, to protect our communities we will need to explore legally regulating drug supply to reduce crime, and steer people towards safer products.”

Meanwhile the head of Scottish Families Affected by Alcohol and Drugs, Justina Murray, said drug deaths would be even higher but for the efforts of families trying to keep relatives safe. “To lose a loved one in circumstances which involve drugs can be especially difficult as there are often additional challenges to face,” she said. “The stigma, prejudice and misunderstanding that regularly surround addiction can make the task of grieving so much more difficult.”

Chief Superintendent John McKenzie, Police Scotland, said Police Scotland was committed to targeting those involved in the drugs trade, but Scottish Greens’ health spokesperson Alison Johnson, said the Scottish Government had cut funding for drug and alcohol partnerships “Asking health boards to make up the funding gap when they are struggling isn’t an answer,” she said.