Scottish Parliament debates action needed to reduce record drug deaths
The Drugs Minister will lay out future plans
MSPs are going to discuss what Scotland should do to tackle record levels of drug-related deaths and harms after the Scottish Government earlier this year declared a "national mission to end what is currently a national disgrace".
Drugs Minister Angela Constance, who will lead the debate, said: "I will be out laying our further plans to support frontline services to ensure more of our people get the right treatment at the right time."
Record Scottish drug deaths
"I'm determined to see evidence based treatments such as safer consumption rooms available in Scotland, drug checking facilities available in Scotland, treatments and harm reduction approaches that work in other parts of the world."
Deaths have reached an all-time high with the latest figures showing 1,264 people dying in 2019, representing a 6% increase.
The Greens want an investigation into how consumption spaces can be established here while the Lib Dems are urging the new Lord Advocate to issue fresh guidance to help people into treatment rather than prison.
Calls for drug consumption rooms
Last year a study revealed three quarters of Scots are in favour of establishing drug consumption rooms.
Scottish Greens health and social care spokesperson, Gillian Mackay MSP said: “Scotland has the worst drug deaths rate in Europe. 1,264 deaths were recorded in the most recent annual statistics, that is a scandal.
“Safe consumption rooms could play an important role in the reducing drug deaths and deliver wider community benefits. The Scottish Government must urgently explore how it can establish legal and safe consumption spaces within the existing legal framework.
“This is a matter that must be at the top of the new Lord Advocate’s agenda. The Lord Advocate has considerable public interest discretion and I can think of nothing more clearly in the public interest than exempting staff who would work in these lifesaving facilities from prosecution.
“The UK Government’s war on drugs has failed. It is time for Scotland to adopt a different approach that prioritises public health.”