‘Fractured’ system needing leadership, says chairman

The Dundee Drugs Commission was first discussed in 2017 in reaction to the city’s and Scotland’s drugs deaths.

In the last decade, the country has overtaken every other in the developed world as having the highest death rate from drug abuse. Dundee has the highest rate of drugs-related deaths, twice the national average, with 66 dying in 2018.

The commission digested evidence from experts from around the world.

Robert Peat, chairman of the Dundee Drugs Commission, said: “Since starting our work in May 2018, the commission has heard from or spoken to over 1,000 people either directly or indirectly affected by the issue of drug use in Dundee.

“I believe we have completed a robust analysis and our report has 16 challenging recommendations for the Dundee Partnership to address. In so doing we feel that the situation in Dundee can be turned around and that there will be a reduction in the number of drug related deaths in the city.

“One of our key recommendations focuses on leadership and it is the collective leadership in the city which must now show the determination to stick with what will be a difficult task over the coming months and years ahead.

“We found a system of treatment and support which we describe as fractured. All of the services in Dundee must work with a concerted effort to implement the necessary changes.

“The problems of the past must be left behind and a culture of openness, honesty, respect and trust must be central to the partnership as it takes forward this work.

“Our recommendations also focus on treatment and support, drug related deaths and mental health. We heard heartbreaking testimony from families and friends bereaved by drugrelated deaths. Every life is precious and every death matters. These thoughts have guided our work.”