THE number of drug-related deaths in Scotland fell to 336 last year, figures yesterday revealed. The number was down by 20 from 2004 and 46 fewer than 2003.

Deaths caused by illegal drug use are now at their lowest since 1998 but the statistics, published by the Registrar General for Scotland, noted a rise in the number of fatalities linked to cocaine, increasing from 38 in 2004 to 44.

The overall drop was welcomed by Deputy Justice Minister Hugh Henry. But he warned: "We cannot be complacent. As long as there are drugs on our streets then there is the potential for deaths to rise again. We must be relentless."

Heroin, which claimed the lives of 225 people in 2004, was responsible for 194 deaths last year. The number of deaths involving the heroin substitute methadone was down from 80 to 72 last year and those involving ecstasy fell from 17 to 10.

There were 90 deaths involving diazepam, 58 of which also involving the use of heroin.

One third of all drug deaths were in the Greater Glasgow and Clyde NHS Board area. But the 111 deaths there was a drop of 40 from the year before.

In Lothian region, deaths increased by 21 to 57.

Of the 336 deaths last year, more than three-quarters of the victims were male.

And of those who died 14-per cent were aged under 25, while 83-per cent were less than 45 years old.

The executive's anti-cocaine campaign, which ran in March and November 2005, will be broadcast again later this year.

Ministers are also working with pub bosses in Glasgow to try to find new ways to get the message about the drug across to those most at risk of using it.

Mr Henry said: "We are also investing record resources in drug treatment - GBP66.7m was allocated in 2005-06."