Decriminalisation of drugs is where we need to go, says city MP

DU N DE E’S M Ps h ave called for more radical pol ic ies a nd bet te r understanding in order to tackle the city’s rising drug problem.

Stewart Hosie and Chris Law retained their seats in Dundee East and West respectively – and have looked towards tackling some of the main issues facing the city in the immediate future.

Mr Hosie and Mr Law each secured 54.8% of the vote in their respective constituencies and achieved more than 20,000 votes – more than double that of the second-placed candidates.

But a drug epidemic in Dundee, as well as rising levels of poverty and foodbank usage in the city, leaves both MPs with plenty to think about.

There were 53 drug deaths in Dundee in 2018 and a hardhitting report on the i ssue conducted by the Dundee Drugs Commission demanded a radical culture change to tackle the drug crisis in Dundee.

The report found the system of treatment and support was “fractured”.

The commission’s recommendations i ncluded improving leadership, challenging stigma towards people who use drugs and their families

In an exclusive interview with the Tele, Mr Hosie and Mr Law spoke about the challenges which lie ahead.

Mr Law believes there should be a decriminalisation of drugs if we are to understand the best way to tackle the issue.

He said: “One of the key issues in the drug commission was changing perceptions and we need drug reform if we are really going to address some of the hardest issues happening here in Dundee.

“The last act was more than 40 years ago in Parliament and that needs to be transformed.

“If the UK Government is not prepared to do that then those powers should be transferred to Scotland so we can take charge and treat it like a public health issue.

“Decriminalisation is where we need to go.

“We need to stop making criminals out of young people and they need to get more support around them.”

Mr Law, who was first elected in 2015, has also backed the idea of drug consumption rooms as a way to of helping those struggling with addiction.

He added: “For the more