The single force recorded 1,065 suspected drug deaths throughout the year, 132 fewer than in 2023.

Seventy-four per cent of those who died were men and 34 suspected drug deaths occurred in the under-25 age group, 37 per cent fewer than in the year before.

Health Secretary Neil Gray said: “My condolences go to anyone who has lost a loved one. Every death is one too many and despite the welcome reduction in these figures on suspected deaths, they remain far too high.

“We want every person experiencing harm from drug use to be able access the support they need and through our national mission on drugs, we are taking a wide range of evidence-based measures to reduce harm and save lives.

“These include opening the UK’s first safer drug consumption facility pilot, working towards the opening of drug-checking facilities, and widening access to residential rehab and life-saving naloxone. Funding for more than 300 grassroots projects has also supported more than 33,000 people.”

Conservative drug spokeswoman Annie Wells said: “These horrendous, heart-breaking figures confirm that Scotland remains in the grip of a drugs death emergency on the SNP’s watch.

“Nicola Sturgeon admitted taking her eye off the ball and, as a result, Scotland has by far the worst rate of drug fatalities, not just in the UK, but across Europe.”