Ministers in Scotland have urged the UK Government to change laws so people found in possession in drugs are “treated and supported rather than criminalised and excluded”.

In a report calling for a “caring, compassionate” policy, the devolved Scottish National party administration called for a change in drug laws, which are reserved to Westminister.

It said that while its investment in support services such as increasing the capacity of residential rehabilitation service was aimed at reducing drug-related harm, “what is still missing is legislation that complements this approach”.

Deaths attributed to drug use in Scotland have risen considerably in recent decades and are the highest in Europe, with 1,330 registered deaths in 2021 and people in deprived areas far more vulnerable than those in the most affluent areas.

Drugs policy minister Elena Whitham said: "Our current drug law does not stop people from using drugs, it does not stop people from experiencing the harm associated and, critically, it does not stop people from dying.

"In fact, I would say today here, that criminalisation increases the harms people experience. Criminalisation kills."

The Home Office has rejected previous calls to decriminalise possession and blocked attempts by the SNP to set up drug consumption rooms aimed at providing a “supervised and safe space for people who use drugs”.

A spokesperson for prime minister Rishi Sunak said the UK Government has “no plans to alter our tough stance on drugs”.

Shadow chancellor Rachel Reeves agreed telling journalists during a visit to Scotland: “I don’t think this sounds like a good policy.”