This release by Public Health Scotland (PHS) presents information on hospital activity relating to illicit drug use in Scotland during the period 1996/97 to 2023/24. The topics covered include: the number of hospital stays, the number and characteristics of patients, substances used and geographical variations.

In 2023/24:

• There were 11,136 drug-related hospital stays (2022/23: 9,654). The European Age-sex Standardised Rate (EASR) of drug-related hospital stays was 212 stays per 100,000 population. This rate was an increase from 2022/23 (186 stays per 100,000 population) but remained below the 2021/22 level (242 stays per 100,000 population).
• In relation to drug types, the highest stay rate (91 per 100,000 population) was for opioids (drugs similar to heroin). This rate was higher than in 2022/23 (83 stays per 100,000 population) but remained below the peak of 144 per 100,000 population in 2019/20.
• The highest patient rate (373 per 100,000 population) was observed among people aged 35-44 years. This rate was an increase compared to 2022/23 (341 per 100,000 population) but remained lower than 2021/22 (425 per 100,000 population).
• Just under half (49%) of the patients with a drug-related hospital stay lived in the most deprived areas in Scotland, as measured using the Scottish Index of Multiple Deprivation.
• The rate of stays for drug poisoning/overdose increased to 27 stays per 100,000 population, from 22 stays per 100,000 population in 2022/23. This remained below the peak of 43 stays per 100,000 population observed in 2020/21.