Bold action required on drug deaths
The Scottish Greens will today use a parliamentary debate to call on the Scottish Government to commit to bold action to tackle Scotland’s drug deaths crisis.
The party’s health and social care spokesperson, Gillian Mackay MSP, will call on ministers to urgently investigate how safe consumption spaces can be established in Scotland.
Gillian Mackay 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.”