ADDICTS CAN’T WAIT FOR MSPs
Sturgeon warns Tories over drugs law plan
NICOLA Sturgeon has said Scots fighting addictions can’t afford to wait on MSPs passing laws to end the country’s drugs deaths scandal.
The First Minister spoke out at an unprecedented joint visit to a community initiative in the east end of Glasgow with Douglas Ross.
The leaders of the SNP and Scottish Conservatives visited the Bluevale centre in Haghill yesterday to speak to members who have managed to get themselves off drugs thanks to local support.
The visit came about after Sturgeon and Ross repeatedly clashed in parliament over how to respond to the fact more people in Scotland die from drugs than anywhere else in Europe.
The Tory chief wants a “right to recovery” to be enshrined in law giving drug users a legal entitlement to treatment.
He performed a U-turn last week when he announced he was no longer opposed to the trial opening of a drug consumption room (DCR) in Scotland.
The Record has led the way on calling for politicians to get to grips with drugs death scandal and has supported the opening of DCRs.
Such facilities would provide addicts with access to a safe environment in which they can receive support from experts.
Sturgeon said she would consider the Tory proposals but insisted the issue couldn’t wait for MSPs to pass bills.
She said: “The debate about the bill is whether the right to recovery should be encapsulated in law. I’ve said I’m open minded about that. What I’m certain about though is we should not wait for the often long and laborious legislative process concludes before getting on with the work now that will give a right to recovery meaning and substance.”
Ross has spoken to UK Government policing minister Kit Malthouse about DCRs, given that drug laws are reserved to Westminster.
He said: “Like me, Kit still has significant reservations about DCRs but he is keen to engage with the Scottish Government on it and to see what can be done in terms of a trial.”