THE Home secretary Sajid Javid has been urged to commit to attending an Emergency Drug Deaths Summit in Glasgow.

Joe Fitzpatrick, the Scottish Public Health Minister has called on him to meet and come to Glasgow where there was a rise of more than 40% in the number of deaths.

Last week as the record figures were revealed the Evening Times called on the UK Government, Scottish Government and Glasgow City Council to host a summit in the city to discuss solutions to the rocketing drug deaths.

READ MORE: ​Deaths need urgent summit

The Scottish Government responded and said it would “seek to host” such a summit in the city.

Glasgow City Council said it backed the idea and would welcome the opportunity to discuss solutions with government leaders.

Jeremy Hunt who is bidding to be the next Prime Minister said he was supportive of the idea.

However we received no response from Boris Johnson the other contender, Mr Javid or Victoria Atkins the Home Office drugs minister.

Conservatives in Glasgow backed the call and Adam Tomkins, Glasgow Conservative MSP said he supported the idea and urged the UK leadership contenders and Mr Javid to take part.

READ MORE: ​Focus on the causes not the drugs

Now Mr Fitzpatrick has written to the Home Secretary asking for a response.

He said: “We received the tragic confirmation that 1,187 people had lost their lives to drug-related deaths in Scotland last year.

In response to these shocking statistics, I am inviting the UK Government to work with the Scottish Government to tackle this problem which claims so many lives. I am now writing to request an urgent meeting to discuss how we can work together to help stop the increasing number of drug deaths in Scotland.

I would like to discuss arrangements to host a summit in Glasgow on the issue and ask that there is an appropriate UK Minister able to contribute.”

We want the governments to hear from those affected by drug deaths and those working on the front line providing services on what needs to change.

Mr Fitzpatrick added: “The Scottish Government has already agreed that we will host such a summit, where government representatives, local authorities and the chair of Scotland’s new Drug Deaths Taskforce would be invited, ensuring the voices of those with experience of using drugs, and their families, are also heard.