Radical action in drugs fight

THERE are times when the scale of a social problem and its impact on individuals, families and the wider community demands radical — even controversial — solutions.

In the first month of this year alone, 12 people had drug-related deaths in Dundee.

Tragically, before 2018 is out, many, many more will suffer the same fate.

Mothers, fathers, sons, daughters, brothers, sisters and grandparents in all parts of the city will be left grieving souls lost to their addiction.

But now Scotland’s Health Minister Aileen Campbell has publicly voiced her tentative support for introducing safe drug-taking centres in Dundee to try to cut the death toll (see pages 4&5).

Widely known as “shooting galleries”, these establishments offer an environment in which addicts can safely — and legally — inject drugs.

The concept is not a new one. It has been used in other parts of the world, including the US and Europe, and been effective in reducing the number of drug-related deaths and the spread of blood-borne virusus associated with users sharing needles.

So, not a new idea, but a contentious and potentially unpopular one.

Ms Campbell has gone out on a bit of a limb by even suggesting shooting galleries as a tool in the battle against drugs, but the bold step of putting it on the table for discussion should be welcomed.

And the fact she talked about it at the first meeting of Dundee’s new Drugs Commission should not be lost on anyone.

Its very existence indicates the time has come to take drastic, perhaps unpopular and certainly controversial steps to tackle a problem which has been destroying families in the city for years.