The Courier & Advertiser (Angus and Dundee)
Dundee drug activist has little faith in SNP plans.
Drugs support worker calls for public inquiry while charity boss welcomes move to legalise possession
One of the leading figures in Dundee’s fight against drug addiction has admitted she does not hold out much hope for the SNP’S vote to legalise possession.
Sharon Brand, one of the key figures behind Recovery Dundee, said the party is essentially going round in circles after similar calls were made by members in recent years.
Recovery Dundee offers support for people dealing with addiction issues. Its Recovery Café in Beans and Berries has become a regular fixture in the city and Ms Brand has spoken in Holyrood about living through addiction.
Making possession of illicit drugs legal was one of the big announcements at the annual SNP conference in Aberdeen over the weekend, with party members voting overwhelmingly in favour of the position.
“People who develop problems with drugs need compassion and support, not punishment. ANDREW HORNE, ADDACTION DIRECTOR
The party also called for drug laws to be devolved as they are currently reserved to Westminster.
The Scottish Government established a taskforce earlier this year in the face of increasing numbers of drug-related deaths, but Ms Brand has called for a public inquiry into the matter.
She said: “Everyone has been calling it a public health emergency, but they haven’t called a public health inquiry.
“I’ve backed legalisation for a long time now, but this was mentioned in 2017 and it’s not really moved on much, so 1,000 people will die before anything is done at this rate.”
Addaction, on the other hand, was more supportive of the SNP’S pledge.
Director Andrew Horne said: “We warmly welcome the SNP’S decision.
“Trying to arrest our way out of the problem has been a monumental failure, so it’s heartening to see a political party listening to the evidence base.
“People who develop problems with drugs need compassion and support, not punishment.
“Decriminalisation would be a big step forward, but it’s only the first part of a longer journey. We need to embrace more radical harm reduction measures like drug testing, so that people know what they are taking, and drug consumption rooms which make drug use safer and engage people in services they may not otherwise access.”