Drug fears have proved unfounded

FEARS of an escalation of Dundee’s drug crisis during the Covid-19 pandemic have so far proved unfounded, an addiction charity boss has said.

Dave Barrie of We Are With You – formerly Addaction – said the charity has so far not experienced a worsening of the city’s already complicated drugs problem.

There were concerns substance abuse support services would struggle to reach people in need after lockdown was announced in late March, potentially leading to the number of overdoses and deaths spiralling.

But Mr Barrie said: “A few weeks ago we were very concerned about the impact of the pandemic on the ongoing drugs problem in Dundee.

“However, so far we can safely say we are not seeing the major concerns that were worrying us.

“There doesn’t appear to be a Covid19 problem among habitual drug users in Dundee and there is also no serious escalation in drug use.

“Drugs are still coming i nto Dundee, people are still using and overdoses are still being reported but that has not increased at the level we feared.”

Mr Barrie said the charity and other services may even be able to use the way they have adapted during the pandemic to improve or widen their outreach in the future.

“We were initially very worried, particularly as we were aware that we wouldn’t be able to provide face-toface support to people who needed it,” he said.

“Anxiety about the mental wellbeing of drug users was a massive concern but we have formed partnerships with other groups in the city and we have increased online support where it is needed and this seems largely to be working.”

Carol Evans, who works with young people in Dundee through Lifeline Family Support, shares Mr Barrie’s optimism.

She said: “I was worried we wouldn’t be able to offer the same contact counselling we did before.

“We did have worries that the drugs problems might get worse.

“However, we have been offering a lot of support over the phone and online and there doesn’t appear to be a major escalation in drug use among young people.

“They still have worries and concerns but we are managing to address these with the support we are offering.”

Dave Barrie of the charity We Are With You.