MPs now waving the white flag on battle with drugs
MPs have admitted scotland’s war on drugs has been lost after calling for substance abuse to be decriminalised.
The controversial move would mean anyone caught with ‘small amounts’ of drugs, which could include cocaine and heroin, would not be arrested, fined or sent to prison.
It would also see the introduction of socalled heroin ‘shooting galleries’.
In a report published today, the scottish Affairs Committee admits ‘scotland is in the midst of a drugs crisis’ with up to 58,900 ‘problematic users’.
However, they claim the ‘criminal justice’ approach to tackling drug abuse should be scrapped in favour of treating addiction as a ‘public health issue’.
scottish Conservative public health spokesman Annie Wells criticised the study. she said: ‘There’s no doubt we need a shake-up when it comes to tackling scotland’s drug crisis, but many of these suggestions would only make things worse.
‘The sNP and Labour seem to just want to make it easier for heroin users to get access to the drug that’s ruined their life. They neglect to realise most users want to beat the habit altogether, not be enabled to do it.
‘That’s why we need more support for abstinence-based services, and a tougher approach on suppliers and dealers.’
A total of 1,187 people died across scotland after taking illicit substances in 2018.
Opioids such as heroin were present in 86 per cent of drug deaths recorded last year.
Cocaine was involved in 23 per cent of cases, while opioid replacement methadone was found in 47 per cent of deaths. It is expected scotland’s drug death rate – the highest of any European county – will reach another record high in 2019.
In a desperate bid to address the problem, the scottish Affairs Committee held a series of evidence sessions with academics, professionals, individuals and families with lived experience.
Committee chairman Pete Wishart said: ‘Throughout our inquiry we heard tragic accounts of the pain and suffering that problem drug use is causing in scotland.
‘If this number of people were being killed by any other illness, the Government would declare it as a public health issue and act accordingly. The evidence is clear – the criminal justice approach does not work.
‘Decriminalisation is a pragmatic solution to problem drug use; reducing stigma around drug use and addiction, and encouraging people to seek treatment.’ The committee insisted that if the UK Government was not willing to liberalise drug laws then it should devolve them to Holyrood.
However, Policing Minister Kit Malthouse has already rejected calls saying it would lead to drug gangs using scotland as a smuggling port.
‘Most users want to beat their habit’