Minister calls for action on Dundee overdoses

DRUGS minister Angela Constance has called for changes to tackle Dundee’s overdose crisis.

She told a Dundee Drugs Commission debate at Holyrood that the level of involvement from the Scottish Government in local services is already unprecedented.

The comments came after Dundee Drugs Commission chairman Dr Robert Peat described the situation in Dundee as “just not good enough” and called on city leaders to accept outside help.

His intervention followed the resignation of Simon Little as independent chairman of the Dundee Alcohol and Drugs Partnership.

Dr Peat’s remarks were raised by Labour MSP Michael Marra as he challenged the minister on why more action has not been taken in Dundee.

But Ms Constance said the level of direction from ministers to NHS Tayside, the local integration joint board and Dundee City Council is already greater than ever before.

She said: “I am looking for change within months, and most certainly not years, because I agree this has gone on far too long and I’m not prepared to put up with it.”

A report on reducing harm associated with drug use was submitted to Dundee City Council’s policy and resources committee on Monday.

But residents will need to wait until later this summer for bosses to set out their battle plan in full – several months after an update to the drugs commission report was published in March, warning the scale of the emergency has been “underestimated”.

Mr Marra said: “Political and service leaders in Dundee have had two years more than the rest of Scotland to reform services following the first commission report.

“I am glad the minister has heard the message of despair from the people of Dundee.

“This next moment is vital.

“If progress is not evident then action must be taken to enforce change.”