Drug deaths should be declared public health emergency - Scottish Labour

The Scottish Government has been urged to officially call a public health emergency in response to the number of drugs deaths in Scotland.

Scottish Labour said legal designation should be given that would allow ministers to urgently direct public bodies under an emergency situation.

It would include councils, police and health boards taking action with the aim of accelerating a nationally coordinated response to prevent further loss of life.

According to the party, the Civil Contingencies Act (2004) provides the legal framework that would allow for the move.

The Scottish Government's Preparing Scotland document explains the Act is concerned with how to deal with the consequences of emergencies, which it defines as events or situations that threaten serious damage to human welfare - including loss of life.

Scottish Labour MSP Monica Lennon will hold a meeting at Holyrood on Thursday alongside author Darren McGarvey, when members of Scotland's recovery community will discuss the need for an emergency response to the crisis.

"The drugs crisis is threatening the welfare and the lives of thousands of Scots and has been already been described as a public health emergency by the Scottish Government,'' Ms Lennon said.

"But this crisis needs more than words - it needs action.

"Official figures published published in July confirmed that almost 1,200 Scots died from drug overdoses in 2018 and I fear this crisis is getting worse.

"Scottish Labour will continue to press the Scottish Government to take further action and our call for an emergency response is a signal to SNP ministers to get serious.''

A Scottish Government spokesman said: "We have been absolutely clear that what Scotland faces in terms of drugs-related deaths is an emergency - however, the ability to enact emergency powers is reserved to the UK Government.

"The Minister for Public Health has already stated that, if he had the power to compel the UK Government to act in response to the emergency, he would not hesitate to use it.

"The First Minister raised the issue directly with the Prime Minister during their first meeting, and we have already taken - and will continue to take - bold action to address this crisis.

"This includes setting up a dedicated drug death taskforce to examine the main causes of drug deaths, promote action to improve the health outcomes for people who use drugs, and advise on further changes in practice, or in the law, which could help save lives."