Drugs death taskforce reveals new strategy to reduce stigma

Scotland’s drug deaths taskforce has created a strategy to reduce the stigma faced by users and their families.

Chaired by Professor Catriona Matheson, of Stirling University, the taskforce was set up a year ago to address the spiralling number of drug deaths across Scotland.

A total of 1,187 such deaths were reported in 2018 – the highest number on record.

In the past 12 months, the taskforce has sought evidence on problem drug use but has faced difficulties in engagement due to Covid-19.

An annual report from the taskforce said engagement with current and former users will now be “reignited” as the pandemic begins to slow.

Prof Matheson said Scotland needs to move away from the search for a “mythical, single, magic bullet” and move towards a programme of support and interventions to reduce the number of deaths.

The strategy, published yesterday, calls for a national mission statement – along with ones at a more local level – to be drafted on how stigmatisation will be tackled.

As part of the strategy, the taskforce said drug services should more publicly celebrate their success in an effort to “reframe the narrative” around problem drug use and recovery.

Services from government designed to benefit those with a drug problem should also be designed with the help of those who work in substance abuse recovery, the strategy instructed.

Specific attention should be paid to people most at risk from stigmatisation, the taskforce added, including women, ethnic minorities and those in the LGBT community.