Despite a 13% drop in drug misuse deaths in 2024, Scotland continues to have the highest drug death rate in Europe for the seventh consecutive year. The National Records of Scotland reported 1,017 fatalities last year, marking the lowest number since 2017. However, with 191 drug deaths per million people, Scotland still tops the chart ahead of Estonia. This decrease in deaths is seen as a positive step, but experts and officials remain wary as the introduction of synthetic opioids like nitazines poses new challenges. Early 2025 data suggests a possible increase in fatalities once more.