Background
In September 2025, NRS put out a request for feedback around the terminology used in our drug-related death statistics, particularly the term “drug misuse” deaths. This was due to feedback received about this term and concerns that it is stigmatising language.
Background on the terminology used in NRS drug-related death statistics can be found on the NRS website: Drug-related deaths terminology feedback - National Records of Scotland (NRS).
NRS asked for feedback on the terminology used in drug-related death statistics in Scotland. Particularly any feedback around the language used, the importance of consistent terminology between UK producers for users of the statistics and any suggested improvements to these terms.
NRS received 14 responses to our request for feedback. These came from a range of users of our statistics across the national public-sector, local public-sector partnerships and third-sector organisations.
Feedback on language used
All responses expressed strong concern about the stigma associated with the term “drug misuse”. Across organisations, feedback suggested the term is:
- Judgemental and moralising by implying wrongdoing, blame or improper behaviour.
- Harmful to individuals as it reinforces stigma which may discourage people from seeking support and worsen outcomes.
- Harmful to bereaved families due to potential shame and blame directed towards them.
- Focused on individual behaviour rather than recognising the complex health and social factors behind drug-related harm.
- Contrary to trauma informed, person centred approaches and Scotland’s wider public health approach.
The Scottish Drugs Forum publication Moving Beyond People First Language – A glossary of contested terms in substance use (2020) outlines that the term “drug misuse” has become widely established in the field as a stigmatising phrase.
The Greater Glasgow and Clyde Stigma Action Group produced a drug stigma framing document: Tackling Drug Stigma is Everyone's Business - a tool for talking about drugs and tackling stigma. One of the tools included in the document focuses on tackling stigma through language.
Many responses highlighted that language shapes media narrative and public attitudes. Given the high profile nature of these as Accredited Official Statistics, feedback suggested NRS has the opportunity to influence the language used in frontline practice and media reporting, attitudes of the general public and how people who use drugs perceive themselves. Multiple respondents stressed the need for NRS to model best practice by adopting compassionate terminology.
Consistency with other statistics producers across the UK
Responses suggested that comparability of statistics across the UK is important but should not come at the cost of stigmatising language. Feedback suggested that:
- Clear definitions used across statistics enable comparability, not identical wording.
- Footnotes or glossaries could be used to explain differences in terms used across the UK.
- Using non-stigmatising terminology does not prevent alignment of statistical methodology.
- Differences in data collection methods and death investigation systems already limit comparability of these statistics across the UK.
- NRS has the opportunity to lead by example and push for change in adopting non-stigmatising language.
Suggested alternative terms
All respondents expressed preference for the term “drug misuse” deaths to be changed to an alternative term. Suggested alternative terms included:
- Drug related deaths (the most widely supported alternative)
- Drug use deaths
- Drug deaths
- Drug poisoning deaths
- Drug overdose deaths
- Deaths due to drug overdose
- Deaths involving controlled drugs
- Deaths involving substance use
- Deaths involving controlled substances
Conclusion and next steps
All 14 submissions strongly recommend that NRS retire the term “drug misuse” deaths and adopt a neutral, accurate and stigma free alternative. Contributors emphasised that language shapes public attitudes, policy approaches, and individual willingness to seek support. Many highlighted the opportunity NRS has to set the standard for language used in this field.
NRS recognise that there is a need to change to an alternative term based on the feedback received. We will reach out to key users of these statistics to discuss this feedback and determine an appropriate alternative term to replace “drug misuse” deaths. We intend to do this in advance of our next release of drug-related death statistics 2025, planned for publication in Autumn 2026.
NRS will share a summary of this feedback with other statistics producers across the UK and inform them of our plans to use an alternative term. We will provide clear explanations on the definitions and different terms used in these statistics to enable comparability across the UK.
