A regional daily has urged Nicola Sturgeon to address the tragedy of drug deaths with a “striking” front page after her election victory.

Dundee daily The Courier has called on Scotland’s First Minister not to “turn her back” on the issue after the Scottish National Party’s triumph.

To illustrate the point, The Courier showed Ms Sturgeon with her back turned walking into her official residence at Bute House, Edinburgh, on its front page yesterday morning, pictured below.

An investigation by The Courier’s DC Thomson sister daily the Dundee Evening Telegraph found in 2019 that 72 people had died from drugs on its patch in the previous 12 months.

Courier editor David Clegg told HTFP: “The Courier’s election coverage was the biggest and best we have ever produced, with reporters at counts across the country and an hourly newscast being streamed live on our website and social media accounts on Friday and Saturday to keep viewers up-to-date with all the latest developments.

“When it came to print on Monday we wanted to provide more than just the best reporting and analysis of the results and what they would mean.

“It also provided an opportunity for us to stop, take stock and ensure we fought for our readers and the issues that really matter in the communities where they live and work.

“Scotland has the worst drugs death crisis in Europe and Dundee has been particularly hard hit by tragedy. Fatalities in the city rose from 66 to 72 in 2019 – the sixth consecutive annual increase.”

Dundee contains the two safest seats in the Scottish Parliament – both held by Scottish National Party candidates re-elected with increased majorities.

David added: “During the election campaign SNP leader Nicola Sturgeon admitted she had taken her ‘eye off the ball’ on drug deaths and promised action.

“Our striking front page today reminds her of that pledge and calls for her to make the issue a top priority for her government.

“The Courier will continue to hold the Scottish Government to account on this issue in the months and years ahead.”