Call for radical change in drug policy to halt rising death toll
CAMPAIGNERS are calling for a radical change in drug laws to end the rising toll of deaths among addicts.
Stop The Deaths campaign warn that deaths will exceed 1000 in a year unless policy is reformed.
The group is protesting in Glasgow city centre on Saturday with a list of actions its says will save lives.
They say that Heroin Assisted Treatment where medical grade heroin is given to drug users will help.
The group wants more availability of naloxone kits which can prevent overdose being fatal.
Today is International Overdose Awareness Day and the Scottish Drug Forum which is behind the campaign is looking to make more people aware of the scale of the drug problem in Scotland.
David Liddell, SDF chief executive, said: “From speaking to our members across Scotland, it is clear that the number of drug-related deaths in Scotland continues to rise at what now seems an exponential rate.
“This means that in 2018 Scotland will almost certainly suffer over 1,000 preventable overdose deaths.”
Last year the figure was 934 across Scotland with 170 of them in Glasgow up from 157 the year before.
The Glasgow figure was the highest in 10 years.
Drug deaths in Scotland have more than doubled in the last decade, rising from 445 in 2007, with the figures also showing the death rate in Scotland is roughly two and a half times that of the UK.
Mr Liddell said it can change. He added: “The good news is that drug deaths are being prevented every day in Scotland. DRUG users are discarding needles next to a busy East End rail station, prompting concerns for public safety.
Bellgrove Station, and other areas in and around Dennistoun have seen an increase in discarded needles and drug paraphernalia, say councillors Allan Casey and Jennifer
“However, we need a step change in terms of a co-ordinated approach and further innovation that can meet the scale of this challenge if we are to avoid the course we appear to be on.
“The Scottish Government’s new national drug strategy is an opportunity to show leadership, redirect the nation and decide to end this tragic situation.”
Glasgow City Council and Greater Glasgow Health Layden. The pair say they have received several reports about drugrelated litter.
Councillor Casey said: “We have arranged for extra street work and engagement in this area to work with any drug users who are publicly injecting and to signpost them to
Board have sought to introduce Safe Drug Consumption Facility in Calton where users could bring heroin and take in under controlled conditions.
Help would be available if they overdose and there would be medical staff available as well as support staff to offer advice and practical help to get people of drugs.
The facilities, when used in in other countries, have various services which are available to them.”
A city council spokesman said: “Addressing the impact of drug-related litter is a key part of the proposal to open a safer drug consumption facility and heroin assisted treatment programme in Glasgow.”
‘‘ It is clear that the number of drug-related deaths in Scotland continues to rise
contributed to a reduction in overdoses.
It has also led to fewer drug users injecting in public places and discarding needles which are a health hazard to the rest of the local population.
The UK Government, however, has refused to relax drug laws to allow the project to take place, despite admitting it recognises the potential benefits to both addicts and communities.