This is the first report from the National Drug Related Deaths Database (NDRDD) for the calendar year 2009. Against a background of a continuing rise in the number of drug related deaths in recent years in Scotland, the NDRDD was established to collect in depth information on the nature and circumstances of individuals who had died a drug related death. Drawing from a wide range of local data sources, the report provides a comprehensive picture of the majority of nationally reported drug related deaths. It sets these 432 deaths in a wider context including the individual's social circumstances and their previous contact with health and criminal justice services.