Scottish Greens respond to drug deaths figure delay
Responding to reports that the publication of Scotland’s drug death figures is to be delayed, Scottish Greens MSP John Finnie said:
“It’s deeply troubling that the publication of the latest drug death statistics is to be delayed. It’s not good enough for the Crown Office to say it ‘appreciates the impacts of the delays.’ It must confirm exactly how long this backlog will take to clear.
"It’s 15 months since I called on the First Minister to establish a full public inquiry into Scotland’s drug deaths crisis. Since then figures have revealed a record number of deaths in 2018. There is no reason to believe that the 2019 figures won’t be similarly stark.
“The Scottish Government must also explain what specific actions it is taking now to save lives.”