Heroin was involved in the majority of deaths

Statistics from the Registrar General for Scotland revealed that there were 356 drug-related deaths in 2004, up 39 from 2003 but down 26 from 2002.

Heroin was involved in almost two-thirds of cases.

Four out of five victims were men, mostly aged under 45. The Scottish Executive said the scale of "human misery and loss" was disappointing.

Fewer deaths involved ecstasy, but the number involving cocaine was 31% higher than in 2003.

We will never forget our obligation to help save lives Hugh Henry Deputy Justice Minister

Deaths in the Greater Glasgow, Lanarkshire and Argyll and Clyde health board areas rose, but dropped in Lothian.

Deputy Justice Minister Hugh Henry said: "Every life lost to drugs is a tragic waste.

"I know that sometimes there is a lack of sympathy for the plight of drug addicts.

"But we will never forget our obligation to help save lives, to provide pathways into effective treatment, and to help get lives back on track."

The minister said he would be publishing an action plan based on recommendations from a recent study into drug-related deaths.

Drugs 'crisis'

He added that new education and prevention initiatives already under way included campaigns targeting heroin use and first aid for treating overdoses.

The Conservatives attacked the figures as evidence of a deepening "drugs crisis".

Justice spokeswoman Margaret Mitchell said: "In 1999, the Scottish Executive set a five-year target of cutting the number of drug related deaths by at least 25%.

"In order to meet this, the number of deaths in 2004 needed to fall to 218 or fewer."

She called for a clearer rehabilitation strategy and a zero-tolerance attitude, especially towards dealing.

The Scottish National Party said the figures were a reflection of the patchy support provided for addicts across Scotland.

Justice spokesman Stewart Stevenson said: "Families of addicts know that there is a breakthrough moment when their loved one is ready to turn away from a drug-dominated life.

"All too often, that chance to change is squandered by a lengthy wait for rehabilitative treatment to begin."