'Devastating' Scottish figures show rise in homeless people dying due to drugs

"Devastating" new figures have shown a rise in the number of homeless Scots dying as a result of drugs, with 100 such deaths estimated to have occurred in 2023.

National Records of Scotland (NRS) said the total was up from 89 in 2022, with its latest report noting drug misuse deaths accounted for about two-fifths (41%) of all estimated homeless deaths in Scotland last year.

However, it said the rise "follows a similar pattern to the general population which saw an increase in drug misuse deaths in 2023 after a fall in 2022".

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Overall, the figures showed an estimated 242 deaths among homeless people in 2023 - with this almost unchanged from the figure of 244 the previous year.

In Aberdeen, there was an estimated rate of 59.2 homeless deaths per million people last year - the 10th highest in the country. Aberdeenshire meanwhile had the fourth lowest rate of homeless deaths in Scotland at a rate of 11.9.

Glasgow and Edinburgh areas had among the highest rates of homeless deaths last year - as did the Shetland Islands and the Western Isles.

In contrast, both the Perth and Kinross council area and the Orkney Islands were not estimated to have had any homeless deaths in 2023.

NRS noted that "small numbers of deaths can result in higher rates for areas with small populations", adding that both the Shetland Islands and the Western Isles had an estimated three homeless deaths in 2023.

Labour housing spokesman Mark Griffin said: "These deaths are a travesty for our country and a damning symbol of government failure."

Criticising the Scottish Government, he added: "These devastating deaths are the most severe consequence of the housing emergency engulfing Scotland on the SNP's watch.

"Every single one of these deaths is a tragedy and every one of these people were badly failed in their hour of need.

"As we head into winter, it is more urgent than ever that the SNP Government takes action to tackle Scotland's housing emergency and get every Scot a safe, secure home."

Matt Downie, chief executive of the charity Crisis, said the figures must be "a wake-up call for politicians of every party".

Mr Downie said: "The sad truth is that in many cases these deaths will have been avoidable. Each year, more people are forced into homelessness, often trapped for long periods in emergency accommodation. We know how much damage that can do to your health.

"But it doesn't need to be this way. We urgently need the Scottish Government and opposition to press on with plans to prevent homelessness from happening in the first place."

Scottish Liberal Democrat housing spokesman Paul McGarry said the "extremely distressing figures" had come after the Scottish Government reduced funding for affordable housing, mental health and drug services.

"All of this makes it so much tougher for those experiencing homelessness to access the wraparound services they need," he added.

"Too many lives are being cut short by this tragedy. That is why the Government must do everything in their power to confront the housing emergency, repair essential services, get more houses built and give people a safe and secure home to call their own."

The comments came after NRS figures showed almost four-fifths (79%) of estimated deaths last year occurred in men, with only 21% affecting females.

NRS also found that exactly half of deaths had taken place among those aged under 45.

As well as recording fatalities among those sleeping on the streets, the data also included those living in temporary accommodation - including hostels, B&Bs and flats - at the time they died.

NRS noted that "small numbers of deaths can result in higher rates for areas with small populations", adding that both the Shetland Islands and the Western Isles had an estimated three homeless deaths in 2023.

Beth Watson, senior assistant statistician at NRS, noted homeless deaths were "at a higher level" now than they were in 2017, when the data was first collected.

She said: "Our estimate shows the number of deaths among people experiencing homelessness in 2023 is similar to the level in 2022.

"Homeless deaths are at a higher level now compared to the 164 deaths in 2017, when these statistics were first collected."

She added: "Half of homeless deaths in 2023 were people aged under 45, with the most common age group for both female and male deaths being 35 to 44."

Housing minister Paul McLennan highlighted efforts by the Scottish Government to combat both homelessness and drug misuse.

Mr McLennan stressed: "Every premature and preventable death is a tragedy and I send my deepest condolences to those affected by the loss of friends or family who were homeless.

"Scotland already has the strongest rights in the UK for people experiencing homelessness, but we are committed to ensuring that no-one need become homeless in the first place.

"That is why we are investing in the £100 million multi-year ending homelessness together fund to prevent homelessness, end rough sleeping and reduce temporary accommodation use.

"This includes supporting local authorities to deliver Housing First, which has provided a settled home alongside personalised support to more than 1,800 people since 2019.

"We have also made record funding of more than £14 billion available to councils in 2024-25 to deliver a range of services, including in homelessness."

He continued: "Through our £250 million national mission on drugs we're taking a wide range of actions, including opening the UK's first safer drug consumption facility pilot, working towards drug-checking facilities and widening access to life-saving naloxone.

"We've maintained a record £112 million to local alcohol and drug partnerships (ADP) for treatment and support services, and we're working with partners to support and build ADP leadership across Scotland.

"We are investing nearly £600 million this year in affordable homes, including an additional £40 million to increase the availability of social and affordable homes through acquisitions, and bringing long-term voids back into use."

He also said the Government's Housing (Scotland) Bill - which is currently being considered by Holyrood - would "place a stronger emphasis on homelessness prevention based on better co-ordination across services and providing support earlier".

Mr McLennan added: "This will help people avoid the crisis of homelessness and the longer-term harms associated with it."