JOE: I’LL GO
Public health minister quits over shameful mishandling of Scotland’s drug death crisis
Public Health Minister Joe FitzPatrick quit last night over his disastrous handling of the country’s drugs death crisis.
FitzPatrick resigned hours after Nicola sturgeon admitted her government had failed victims and their families.
scotland’s shame was exposed this week when figures revealed we have the worst drug deaths rate in europe, with a record 1264 last year.
FitzPatrick said: “i spoke with the First minister today and
agreed that I should leave government. It has been the privilege of my life to serve in the Scottish Government and, during that time, the most heartbreaking and difficult problems I have faced as public health minister is the harms and deaths caused by drug use.”
The National Records of Scotland figures showed a rise in the drug deaths total for the sixth year running, giving it a rate more than three times worse than England and Wales.
FitzPatrick had been public health minister since June 2018.
The First Minister had responded with an open letter printed by the Record, admitting she needed to get on top of spiralling fatalities.
Opposition parties had begun a formal push for a no-confidence vote at Holyrood.
Sturgeon apologised at the Scottish Parliament on Thursday and pledged to step in and take charge of the first drugs summit planned for the new year.
FitzPatrick said he ultimately takes responsibility after leading efforts to turn the country’s awful record around.
He added: “I have worked with families who have felt the burden and weight of grief from drug use. I want to thank them for their candour and the amazing efforts they make to try and make our country better and safer for all.
“As the minister responsible for this area I, ultimately, take responsibility. It is clear that my presence as a minister will become a distraction, when we should be focused on achieving the change we need to save lives.
“There is nothing I can express that will ease the loss that so many families have felt due to a death from drugs use. I can only say how sorry I am for their loss, and that hearing the experiences of the families and the recovery communities will never leave me.”
Sturgeon said: “I thank Joe for his work as a minister and the service he has given to Government over the last eight years, firstly as minister for parliamentary business and then as minister for public health.
“While the time has now come to make a change in the public health brief, no one should doubt Joe’s hard work, dedication and sincerity. He will continue to champion the interests of his constituents at Holyrood, and I wish him well in the future.”
Sturgeon immediately appointed Angela Constance to a new role dedicated to drugs policy. A new public health minister will be appointed on Monday.
Constance was previously communities secretary but left her post in 2018 as Sturgeon brought “fresh talent” into government.
Scottish Labour MSP Monica Lennon had earlier drawn up a formal motion of no confidence in FitzPatrick.
Last night, Lennon said: “It is right that Joe FitzPatrick has resigned. Scotland’s drug deaths emergency must now be given the full attention of the Scottish Government.
“Urgent funding is needed to boost access to treatment and residential rehab. The Scottish Government must get behind safe consumption facilities, like the voluntary service in Glasgow.
“We welcome Angela Constance to her role and will work with all political parties to prevent drug deaths. This must be a turning point.”
Scottish Conservative leader Douglas Ross had earlier refused to back the motion of no confidence and tonight said the resignation “changes nothing”.
He added: “If this was about the shocking number of drug-related deaths this year, he would have gone on the day the numbers were released.”
Scottish Liberal Democrat leader Willie Rennie said: “This was inevitable but it doesn’t ease the pressure on the Scottish Government to make up for the terrible failures over the last 13 years on drugs policy. Change is needed and fast.”