Across the country, the number of drug-related deaths in 2007 was the highest ever recorded in Scotland and Community Safety Minister Fergus Ewing today vowed to take action.

The figures show there were 23 drug-related deaths in Dundee last year, compared to 16 in 2006, 11 in 2005 and 11 in 2004, going back to 18 in 1996.

Heroin was involved in 12 deaths last year, alcohol in six, diazepam in three, methadone in two and cocaine in one. But individual deaths may have involved more than one of these drugs.

The biggest number of deaths (10) were the result of drug abuse, six were accidental and four were suicide. The causes of three deaths were undetermined.

The figures give a breakdown by NHS board area and by council area from 1996 to 2007 with annual averages from 1996 to 2000 and 2003 to 2007.

The annual average for drug deaths in Dundee for 1996 to 2000 and 2003 to 2007 were both 14.

The figures show there were 455 drug-related deaths in Scotland in 2007, up 8% on the previous year.

Across Tayside there were 29 drug deaths in 2007, compared with 35 in 2006. The annual average from 1996 to 2000 was 21 compared to 26 between 2003 and 2007.

In Fife there were 28 in 2007 compared with 19 in 2006. The annual average was nine from 1996 to 2000 compared to 19 between 2003 to 2007.

Elsewhere in the Tayside region, drug deaths were down last year to three in Angus from 11 in 2006. But the annual average jumped to seven for 2003 to 2007, compared to two from 1996 to 2007.

Drug-related deaths were also down last year in Perth and Kinross to just three from eight in 2006 although the annual averages were both five.

Heroin was involved in the majority of deaths in Angus, Dundee, Fife and Perth and Kinross last year. Drug abuse was the main cause of death. Across Scotland, heroin was involved in 64% of last year’s 455 drug deaths with 86% of victims male.

The Greater Glasgow and Clyde health board area accounted for 35% of the deaths, Lothian for 12%, Lanarkshire for 11% and Grampian for 10%.

Mr Ewing said the government was “naturally disappointed” the number of drug-related deaths in 2007 was the highest ever recorded.

“In the short term these figures may continue to rise — partly because of the cumulative effects of abuse on older drug users — but that doesn’t mean we should sit back and accept it,” he said.

“Of course these figures precede the publication of our new drugs strategy, The Road to Recovery, which was supported by Parliament in June.

“I am confident many of the changes it proposes will have a positive impact in reducing drug-related deaths.

“It sets out a clear course of action to see more people recover from problem drug use as active and law-abiding members of society.”

Mr Ewing said a solution would not happen overnight, but was confident of progress in the years ahead.

“We have also drawn up a new action plan specifically aimed at tackling drug-related deaths.

“It is based on far-reaching recommen-dations from experts in the field and from service users,” he said.

“And recommendations made by the National Forum on Drug-Related Deaths in their first annual report are being taken forward urgently.

“We are also pursuing the action points from Equally Well, the report of the Ministerial task force on health inequalities, many of which are highly relevant to groups of people most at risk of drug-related death.”

David Liddell, Director of the Scottish Drugs Forum, said, “We have a huge drugs problem in Scotland, with many services overwhelmed by demand for treatment.

“The Scottish Government's new drugs strategy is driving massive changes to the way we approach our drugs problem.”