Published: Wednesday, 26th August, 2009 1:04pm

Drug Deaths On The Rise

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A deadly cocktail of drink and drugs led to the majority of substance related deaths in East Ayrshire last year.

A mixture of heroin, alcohol and sedatives were the biggest contributory killer to the 13 deaths.

Ten were confirmed with traces of class A drug, while eight were found with benzodiazepine, and eight with alcohol.

Of the 13, seven were found to have taken diazepam, four methadone, two cocaine and one temazepam.

None were found with traces of amphetamines or ecstasy.

Across Ayrshire and Arran there were 40 drug-related deaths in 2008, a small increase from 36 the previous year.