THE NUMBER of people dying as a result of drug overdoses is on the rise in Tayside—with figures showing that heroin was involved in the majority of deaths.

Drug deaths increased by 36% from 26 in 2005 to 35 in Tayside last year.

Figures released by the Registrar General for Scotland revealed 20 deaths in Tayside were through drug abuse, nine people died of accidental overdose with six suicides.

Individual deaths often involved more than one drug, with heroin concerned in 27 deaths, diazepam in eight, alcohol in seven, methadone in four and temazepam in one.

A Dundee-based expert said services and agencies are developing an overdose prevention strategy for Tayside to cut the death toll.

The strategy will offer training to drug users, their friends and families in how to avoid an overdose, recognise the signs of one and what action to take in the event of an emergency.

“We monitor all drug- related deaths so I’m not surprised by these figures,” said Steven Dalton, lead officer of Dundee Drug and Alcohol Action Team.

“One death is too many and a tragic waste of life, so we need to do as much as we possibly can to reduce the consequences of drug misuse and fatal overdoses.”

Of the 421 deaths in 2006, 162 (38%) occurred in the Greater Glasgow and Clyde NHS Board area. Grampian, with 47 (11%), had the next highest total followed by Lothian, with 46 (11%).

The Greater Glasgow and Clyde total showed an increase of 51 since 2005 and there was also a substantial rise (24) in Grampian.

There was a decrease of 11 in Lothian. In Fife drug deaths were down from 21 in 2005 to 19 in 2006.