DRUG deaths in Glasgow have rocketed to an unprecedented level with so called ‘street blues’ causing a massive rise in fatal overdoses.

The latest figures show an increase of 45% in drug related deaths from 192 in 2017 to 280 last year.

Across Scotland the rise was 27% to 1187 deaths.

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In Glasgow street benzodiazepines were present in 191 of the deaths often taken with heroin or methadone.

Health officials have noted the trend and warned of the dangers of the street valium.

Dr Carole Hunter, lead pharmacist for addictions with NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde said: “Illicit benzos is a changing trend. It’s implicated in most of the drug deaths in Glasgow. There is a rise in benzos.”

The illegal ‘factory production’ of the drugs is also posing a problem.

Dr Hunter added: “What is in them one day could be fine but then the next day it is not.

“People don’t know what’s in them and they’re cheap. They have never been cheaper than they are now.”

Drug related deaths in Glasgow have now trebled since 2010 when 94 people died.

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In 220 cases heroin or heroin substitutes were involved.

The unprecedented rise is deaths is proof that radical interventions are required, according to a Glasgow MP, who has been calling for a Safe drug Consumption Facility in the city but has been blocked by the UK Government.

Alison Thewlis, Glasgow Central SNP MP, said: "Decision-makers need to get out from behind their desks at Westminster and come to Glasgow to see the scale of this escalating problem. The UK Government's position is absurd, especially when you consider that there is cross-party support for plans at Westminster, Holyrood, and Glasgow City Council, where plans were passed unanimously.

“A safer consumption facility is not a magic bullet, and wider action is needed to ensure the public health approach that Scotland wants to take is embedded in all services.”