EVERY two days, someone dies from drugs in Glasgow.

The latest shocking figures show drug deaths in the city have increased in the last year, according to the latest statistics.

The Scottish Government figures show 170 drug related deaths in Glasgow in 2016, compared to 157 the year before.

Across Scotland the number of drug deaths rose to the highest level ever, up 23% to 867, with government ministers admitting it has to do more to combat the problem.

Heroine morphine and methadone are the most common drugs involved in deaths, often some combination of the three.

In 130 of the deaths in Glasgow, one or more of the drugs were a factor.

Cocaine was implicated in 32 deaths in Glasgow.

The numbers described as “accidental poisoning” increased in Glasgow from 131 to 155.

There is a clear split between the death rates for younger and older drug users

Most of the deaths occur in the 35-54 year old categories as the city has an ageing drug addict population.

For younger people 15 -24 year olds and 25-34 year olds, Glasgow has a lower rate of deaths than the rest of Scotland but among the older addicts the rate is far higher.

Public health officials said help and support must continue to be provided to those who need it to bring down the death rate.

Dr Andrew Fraser, on behalf of Scottish Directors of Public Health, said: “Bringing people the support they need, when they need it and for as long as they need it to get them through difficult times, is a crucial part of ensuring our service – public and voluntary – work to reduce drug related deaths.

“This is true for effective prevention and treatment, and spans all services that support people with drug problems.”

Meanwhile the Scottish Government said it was a problem across Europe and that it had to do more to tackle addiction to help cut the death toll.

Aileen Campbell, Minister for Public Health, said: “We are dealing with a very complex problem in Scotland - a legacy of drugs misuse stretching back decades. What we are seeing is an ageing group of people who are long term drugs users.

“They have a pattern of addiction which is very difficult to break, and they have developed other chronic medical conditions as a result of this prolonged drugs use.”