In its latest annual report, The National Forum on Drug-related Deaths warns that some healthcare workers offer "less sympathetic" services to people with drug problems than they do to other patients.

The Government-appointed body claims that "normalisation" of drug treatment in doctors' surgeries and hospitals is essential if Scotland is to cut the number of drug deaths.

Some healthcare workers accept inappropriate stigma relating to drug users, or have high expectations of patients which are not realistic, given what is known about the likely success rates of treatment, the forum said.

"There is a need to encourage all GPs to consider treatment of drug users as essential, rather than optional, work," the report concludes.

It also calls for more research into the role of methadone in drugs deaths and underuse of alternatives to the controversial opiate substitute.

In 2011 drug deaths reached a record high of 584, but analysis of those who died a drug-related death in 2010 showed that nearly 60% had been in contact with drug treatment services.

GP Dr Roy Robertson, chair of the forum, said that the NHS was failing if it treated patients affected by addiction less well than those with other problems.

Mr Robertson said: "This is not an attack on GPs and the way they work. If the Government would lead from the top and properly support care, GPs would do it. This is predominantly a health issue."