Drug taskforce report must lead to action

THE Scottish Government’s drug deaths taskforce published its final report last week, with wide ranging proposals to be taken forward. The taskforce’s 20 recommendations and 139 action points speak to the complexity of dealing with this longstanding public health issue. I hope all of these will be taken on board. As much as we all want the trauma of drug addiction to be solved overnight, it will take a great deal of concerted effort to make this happen.

I’ve witnessed how families have had to fight to get care for their loved ones, as well as seeing the inspiring work of recovery campaigners.

There are many who work in supporting those with addictions who give so much. It’s very clear from the report, however, that what’s available is a patchwork, and there must be more coordination and, what the report calls “no wrong door and holistic support”.

The barrier of stigma to accessing support and treatment is well set out in the report. It is a challenge to all of us who speak on this to ensure we do so without placing further barriers in the way of those who need support.

I’ve been forthright about the need for changes to the Misuse of Drugs Act and, in particular, the need for supervised drug consumption facilities. I’m glad that this is included as part of the recommendations of the report, and I’ll continue to press for change at Westminster.

Most of all, I hope across the political spectrum, we can all accept and adopt the report – and set about the task of implementing rather than arguing. We owe all of those who have lost loved ones so much better than that.