UK wide drug summit to be held in Glasgow

UK Crime Minister Kit Malthouse has announced plans to hold a summit in Glasgow on methods to tackle drugs deaths.

He made the announcement during a meeting of the Scottish Affairs Committee in Westminster, where he was giving evidence on problem drug use in Scotland.

It is hoped the summit will come to the city before Christmas.

Experts from across the UK will be in attendance and the summit will also provide an update on a drugs review by Dame Carol Black, which is due to report before the end of this year.

Speaking after the committee meeting, Mr Malthouse said: “The number of drug deaths across the UK is extremely concerning, particularly the figures for Scotland.

“We should continue to work closely at all levels and across the nations of the UK to tackle the issue of drug misuse.

“We must choke off the supply of harmful drugs and relentlessly pursue the organised criminals behind this trade while helping those dependent on drugs to recover.''

He added: “Following Dame Carol Black's report from her review of drugs, we'll hold this summit to discuss the findings and the problem of drug misuse.

“This will help ensure we're doing all we can to face this challenge head on.''

Staff from Public Health England, the departments of health and social care, justice and education will be invited to the summit, along with counterparts from devolved administrations.

Last year, 1,187 people died due to drugs in Scotland and the PA news agency discovered through a freedom of information request that 551 people had died of suspected drug use between April and September this year.

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