Go hard on drugs

Drugs deaths in Scotland are appallingly common. Being an echo chamber of “progressive” liberalism, the Scottish Parliament cannot muster anything in response beyond decriminalisation, tack ling dealers and support for addicts.

Utterly absent is the principle that illegal drug abuse is irresponsible and selfish. The am oral“harm reduction” approach focuses on relieving the human miser y currently manifest, but at the expense of maintaining the cycles that produce it. It’s time to regain the understanding of the wider consequences of drug abuse. It’ s not just a matter of personal risk assessment; abuser send an ge rt hew ider public, cause pain to their families and massive cost to their unfortunate employers or, more likely, the state.

Not another penny of taxpayers’ cash should fund organisations peddling “we’re here to help you take drugs safely” messages–especially in schools. Persuade people that the dangers of drugs can be managed and t he deterrent against experimentation is diluted.

Our society has decreed, with good reason, that it is unwilling to foot the bill of pain, inju- ry,di stress and healthcare generated by personal decisions to take drugs – so they are illegal. However, being of a compassionate bent, we do actually foot the financial bill when it comes to it, but there is every justification to use the full power of the law to deter people from destroying their own lives and blighting society through such chronically selfish irresponsibility.

We should protect young people by fiercely attacking supply chains, deterring personal possession, communicating the dangers, making it clear that illegal drug use is not an acceptable choice in Scotland, and, above all, insisting that it is wrong to en danger others while expecting them to foot the bill for one’s selfcentred pursuit of fleeting sensation.

RICHARD LUCAS Scottish Family Party Bath Street, Glasgow