Hundreds of people continue to die each year from a drug related death in Glasgow according to the latest “appalling” figures.

There has been 187 suspected drug deaths, so far, in the first six months of this year in Glasgow.

The official figures for last year showed that for 2020 there were 291 confirmed drug related deaths in Glasgow.

Full figures for 2021 will be finalised next year.

The new report shows deaths where drugs is the suspected cause of death.

The number is slightly down from the 194 for the same period is the city in the year before.

Across Scotland the half yearly report showed there were 762 drug related deaths between January and June.

It is 1% fewer than the same period last year.

Alost 7 in ten were in the 35 to 54 year old age group but there were 35 suspected deaths in people aged under 25.

Greater Glasgow Police division had the highest number with 187 ahead of Lanarkshire with 67 and Edinburgh with 64 and Tayside with 64.

Drugs Policy Minister Angela Constance said: “Once again these figures are appalling. We are taking a vast range of actions to tackle this public health emergency, and we recognise the hard work and challenges ahead.

“More regular reporting of data on drug death trends in Scotland will ensure everyone involved in our national mission remains focussed on the work we must do to get more people into the treatment that is best suited for them as quickly as possible.

“We know that to do this we must create a more integrated, person-centred approach to treatment. We are therefore 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.”