A further 12 people in Dumfries and Galloway have lost their lives to drugs.
The most recent figures show as many as 38 people in the region are believed to have died as a result of substance abuse in the first nine months of the year, compared to 29 in the whole of 2020.
Dumfries and Galloway Alcohol and Drug Partnership say there is no single reason for the increase.
Chairman Penny Halliday said: “Deaths through drugs are preventable, so any loss of life is a matter of huge regret.
“However, numbers of suspected drug-related deaths this year saw a notable increase over 2020, and we have been asking everyone to do what they can to address what continues to be a deeply concerning situation.
“We know that people are taking different drugs in combination which greatly increases the risk to them. In particular, we are seeing evidence of people taking opioids like heroin and methadone along with illicit tablets they believe are benzodiazepines that are bought online or on the streets.
“People who use drugs have been reminded not to try new substances or to try a very small amount at first to see how it affects them.
“We know the devastating effect that drug deaths have on families and communities. Drug deaths are preventable and that’s why we want to make sure that we tell people about the risks to them and how they can get help.”
The data from Police Scotland and the Scottish Government is based on “officers’ observations and other circumstantial evidence”.
For the most recent quarter – between June and September – there were 12 suspected drug deaths. Between April and June there were 11, with 15 in the first three months of the year.
Across Scotland there were 285 drug deaths between June and September, compared to 329 in the previous three months. However, Drugs Policy Minister Angela Constance admitted the figure is “still far too high”.
South Scotland SNP MSP, Emma Harper, said: “Serious action is under way to tackle drug deaths at a cross party level. It is also encouraging that the UK Government is now, finally, looking at proposals which the Scottish Government put forward to allow safe drug consumption rooms.
“To tackle drug deaths, we must create a more integrated, person-centred approach to treatment. I welcome that the Scottish Government is investing £2.3 million over the next three years in Health Improvement Scotland to ensure people are treated not only for their physical health addiction, but their mental health too.
“As a nurse myself, one of the areas I have been interested in is stigma and I welcome the work being undertaken to reduce drug related stigma and increase awareness of drug addiction. I have written to NHS Education for Scotland to ask if a drug and alcohol stigma module can be created for healthcare professionals and I understand this work is continuing.
“I have also raised the need for specific targeted action for people who live in more rural areas who are at risk, and I am pleased the minister is taking this seriously.”
Galloway and West Dumfries MSP Finlay Carson described the increase as “alarming”.
He said: “It is now increasingly important that the Scottish Government backs plans for a Right to Recovery Bill. This would enshrine in law access to treatment for those who need it.
“Drug deaths remain Scotland’s national shame and still appears to be hitting our rural and deprived communities the hardest.
“If there is a need for greater resources or support to deliver services in rural areas in particular then I will be the first to raise this and ensure it happens quickly.
“We cannot continue to lose people through drugs as we are talking about human lives.
“If they need help then it should automatically be available – no matter what. Clearly more still needs to be done here in Dumfries and Galloway.”
