Summit to tackle scourge of heroin

Multi-agency group to meet for first time in response to spiralling number of fatalities in city

A summit to tackle Dundee’s heroin crisis will feed into a “controversial” Scottish Government masterplan to reduce drugs deaths, says the public health minister.

The Drugs Commission meets for the first time today in response to the spiralling number of fatalities in the city.

Dundee has the worst drugs record in Scotland, with 12 suspected narcotics death in January this year alone.

The commission brings together the police, academics, health workers, politicians and those who have been affected by drug abuse.

Public health minister Aileen Campbell, who is to speak at the meeting, said the Government wants to “change the provision of treatment and support for those who are most at risk”.

“That means taking forward evidence-led measures, even if they were to prove controversial,” she said.

“This commission will play a crucial role in gathering the experiences and views of people in Dundee who are affected by drug misuse, and I look forward to seeing the commission’s recommendations.”

The Scottish Government announced in November that its review of drugs strategy would be completed in the spring, but that has been pushed back to the summer.

Dundee City Council has been looking at opening drugs consumption rooms, which allow users to inject under supervision.

Glasgow health and council chiefs have backed the move there and are also exploring a heroin-assisted treatment clinic, where doctors can prescribe the drug.

The power to decriminalise or legalise lies with the UK Government, with classification reserved to Westminster.

Policies for how to approach addiction and drug use are devolved.

Councillor Ken Lynn, who is also chairman of Dundee Health and Social Care Partnership, said: “The situation in Dundee has got to a point where we need to take a new approach to provide solutions to save and improve people’s lives.”

Dr Drew Walker, chairman of Dundee Alcohol and Drugs Partnership, said the problem is a “major public health concern”.

“Work is being undertaken by the Dundee ADP to provide support and care to people who take drugs, their friends and families, but the commission will provide invaluable additional expertise to reduce problem drug use and consequent drug deaths in future,” he said.

gmcpherson@thecourier.co.uk

Drug abuse takes a terrible toll on communities across Scotland. Dundee is not unique in its troubles, but issues related to addiction do seem to be particularly prevalent in the city.

A summit established to tackle the crisis is welcome indeed and it is to be hoped positive progress is made today.

However, it is worth bearing in mind from the outset that not all potential solutions are likely to be universally palatable.

The establishment of “safe” places within which to inject heroin – so-called shooting galleries – is likely to be among topics up for discussion.

There are fears that such a move would effectively legitimise and normalise drug abuse, with opponents concerned it sends out entirely the wrong message.

Would it be a sign of society simply choosing to accept the issue rather than fighting against it?

Yet, the status quo clearly isn’t working.

In January alone there were 12 drug deaths in Dundee. Such statistics should not be acceptable to any of us. Discussions today, and at subsequent meetings, will undoubtedly be challenging.

What is essential is that every single person involved has a truly open mind. Only by taking a completely fresh and impartial look at the issue are we likely to finally make meaningful inroads.

Public health minister Aileen Campbell will speak at the meeting.