The Courier & Advertiser (Fife Edition)
Drug users would get ‘second chance’ under Tories’ new strategy
Party reveals softer policy for tackling rising number of deaths
Addicts would be given immunity from prosecution if they are prepared to go through treatment under a softening of Scottish Conservative drugs policy.
Ruth Davidson’s party say those caught with drugs would avoid a criminal record by putting themselves before a local commission, which would decide how they will be helped.
The “second chance” plan is part of the Tories’ new strategy for tackling the spiralling number of drugs deaths in Scotland.
Dundee is the country’s drugs death capital after the number of fatalities increased from 38 to 2016 to 57 last year, according to figures published this summer.
Under the Tory plan, all narcoticsrelated mortalities would be individually reviewed.
The drugs death strategy also includes setting up “life plans” for addicts, an independent review of methadone and a target to halve fatalities in five years.
Miles Briggs, the Tory health spokesman in Scotland, said: “Users don’t need a drugs plan to help them manage their addiction, they need a life plan to help them end their addiction.”
On the reprieve plan for addicts facing possession charges, the Lothians MSP added: “It would be their choice – take responsibility for yourself and your actions and you get a second chance and avoid a criminal record.
“Offend again and you can expect to feel the full force of the law.”
Dundee City Council has set up a Drugs Commission, which is looking at how to reduce the numbers of deaths in the city.
Ken Lynn, an SNP councillor in Dundee who is on the commission, said it would listen to all views, but said he does not see “anything in the Conservative proposals which is particularly innovative”.
Public health minister Joe FitzPatrick said the Scottish Government is publishing its drug and alcohol strategy soon, but warned “many of the levers” for tackling the issue are reserved to Westminster.
“We have provided further funding to help reduce the harms caused by alcohol and drugs, bringing the total to more than £70 million this financial year,” the Dundee West MSP said.