Crown Office promises to speed up toxicology results

Crown Office promises to speed up toxicology results

Joe FitzPatrick

The Crown Office has pledged to expedite the processing of toxicology results amid worries that Scotland’s latest drug death figures could be delayed.

Results are currently on hold as the Crown Office has an ongoing dispute with Glasgow University, whose forensic toxicology unit carried out the tests, The Courier reports.

The issue was discussed yesterday at a meeting of the national drugs deaths taskforce at Dundee’s Cairn Centre.

Joe FitzPatrick, the Scottish government’s health minister, said he is “really hopeful” the issue can be resolved.

He said: “One of the good things about the taskforce is you have a range of people round a table, including someone from the Crown.

“I think it’s really important that we have that information, not only in terms of getting accurate statistics, but more importantly for the loved ones of someone who has died.

“They are waiting to understand what happened and how they lost them.

“I’m really hopeful the £300,000 investment works and the backlog does get reduced.”

Mr FitzPatrick added: “Our role in the taskforce is to turn around what has been a trend that has been 20 odd years in the making.

“We’re not going to do that overnight but our role is to make sure that we are taking the actions that will save lives in the future.

“Whatever the latest statistics will be when they’re published will be too high. Every person who has lost their lives is a personal tragedy.”

A spokesperson for the Crown Office said: “COPFS appreciates the impact of the delays in toxicology analysis and has allocated £300,000 in additional funding to help address this issue.

“In addition, COPFS is seeking to secure the future delivery of these services and to preserve the valuable contribution toxicology staff make to the investigation of deaths.”

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