Scotland has among the highest drug misuse death rates in Europe, and the crisis is deeply stratified by socioeconomic deprivation. Understanding how drug misuse deaths vary by deprivation, geography, age, and drug type is critical for targeted interventions in general practice to reduce mortality and address health inequalities. Scotland is currently trying to address many of these issues, including naloxone provision, increasing rehab beds & the opening of the UK's first drug-consumption room. Of particular note, I am a GP  (& RCGP Chair of West Scotland faculty, including Glasgow!) in recovery for 16 years from opioid/benzodiazepine addiction. During this time I have sat in hundreds of Narcotics Anonymous meetings & heard about all the mistakes that GPs make in dealing with addicts. Using this "insider knowledge" in my practice I have implemented policies that drastically reduce these opportunistic "polypharmacy" requests.To examine recent trends and inequalities in drug misiuse deaths in Scotland, highlight which populations and areas are most affected, and outline implications for general practice in prevention, early detection, and engagement.Analysis of published statistics from National Records of Scotland (2023-2024) and related Police Scotland reports. Key metrics include total deaths, age-standardised mortality rates, deprivation quintiles, geographical distribution, substance implicated, and age/sex breakdown. Also, personal communication with rehab centres & consumption room lead (67 drug-related overdose interventions in < 12 months so far).In 2024, there were 1,017 drug misuse deaths in Scotland, a 13% decrease (155 fewer deaths) compared with 2023. People in the most deprived areas are 12x as likely to die from drug misuse compared to those in the least deprived areas. Substances implicated: opiates/opioids in ~80% of deaths: benzodiazepines ~56%; cocaine ~47% (increasing trend). Average age of death has increased from 32 years in 2000 to approx. 45 in 2024…Drug trends in Scotland past/present, & what we are doing to mitigate primary care's part in this by reducing prescriptions for opioid painkillers, benzodiazepines & gabapentinoids especially.My "insider knowledge" from my own addiction/recovery has helped addicts, & those working in Primary Care to be more mindful when dealing with inappropriate requests for addictive medications.