A “RADICAL” public health approach is needed to tackle record number of drug-related deaths in Scotland.

Figures showing there were 1,187 deaths related to substances in 2018 were branded “truly horrific” by Conservative MSP Alexander Stewart while the SNP’s MSP Keith Brown said the increase was “deeply concerning”.

Meanwhile, MP Luke Graham raised the issue in a Westminster Hall debate and called for cross-party working at all levels of governance through “better policy, not more transfers of powers”.

Mr Stewart attacked the methadone programme as it was a contributing factor in nearly half of all deaths.

He said: “Predictably, the SNP government has immediately used the figures to call for the creation of a state-run heroin consumption room in Glasgow, which is the one measure it knows that it just isn’t able to introduce.

“That stance has been attacked by the Scottish Conservatives on more than one occasion and I would point out that the nationalists have had sole control over health and justice for 12 years, yet this crisis has only worsened on their watch.”

Last year Mr Stewart had called for personalised life plans for those struggling and a second chance for those caught for the first time.

“They should be focusing their efforts on rehabilitation and abstinence-based recovery, the very services they have cut to the bone”, he added.

Responding, MSP Brown said it was “clear that current drug policies are failing our communities and our most vulnerable”.

He called for a “humane and evidence based policy approach, which must include, but not be limited to, the introduction of safe consumption rooms”.

Mr Brown was keen on understanding the root causes and hailed the establishment of the Drug Deaths Taskforce, which will provide “bold evidence based approaches”.

He continued: “Tory calls for cross party cooperation must be made in good faith and be open to the possibility of full devolution of drug laws to Holyrood from Westminster.”

And added: “Scotland’s approach must have drug users at its heart and we must be unflinching in our commitment to getting drug policy right.

“This means a radical public health approach that effectively tackles both the cause of demand and the supply of drugs that lead to the current crisis we find ourselves in.”