Shocking image sparks huge response – but opinions differ

The Courier’s front page provoked a huge response online.

Social media was awash with opinions on the image of a drug user lying in the stairwell of a city centre car park.

Many backed this paper’s decision to publish the graphic image, with people citing it as necessary to shame the powers that be into action.

Shona Campbell said: “What ever happens in our society is everyone’s responsibility.

“Not a nice image but it highlights a very important issue and people listen more when there is an image unfortunately.

“There needs to be more help and support for people but with the cuts the current government have enforced I only think this will get worse.”

Pete Shears also agreed with the publication of the image. He said: “Hits home about the truth of Dundee right now. While certainly we’re a city on the rise the council has only hidden the drugs problem rather than dealing with it.

“Plenty of museums and hotels, but no homes for the city’s homeless and no help for the city’s addicts. They should be ashamed.”

Gary Westwater said: “Sad image and regardless of location, I think it is correct to report it.”

Not everyone was in agreement however.

Others feel the image should not have been publicised. Deanna Taylor said: “That is disgusting putting that man’s picture out there for everyone to see.”

John Munro said: “You have now just negatively put Dundee on the map globally forever.”

Steve Ayre said: “Every city , town and village up and down the UK has drug and alcohol addiction.”

That is disgusting putting that man’s picture out there for everyone to see

From left: Angela Wilson, the former assistant chief constable of Tayside Police, believes helping addicts requires a different approach, and Bell Street car park where the image, above, was taken.