We need urgent break from failed drug policies of the past
The Scottish Greens have welcomed the publication of a new report from the UK Home Affairs Committee which calls for a range of reforms, including a review of drug classifications and the trial of safe consumption rooms.
The Party’s health spokesperson, Gillian Mackay MSP, said:
"This is an important report that underlines the urgent need for change.
"The current system is badly dated and not fit for purpose. Successive governments have stuck to the same failed policies for far too long, and it has had a terrible human cost.
"Drug addiction is a public health issue and should be treated as one.
"There is a need to review classifications and to increase the range and availability of services, including safe consumption rooms which have an important role to play and are long overdue.
"We also need to be looking to, and learning from, countries like Portugal who have shown that decriminalisation of personal possession and a change to a health-led approach can offer support to people who need it and reduce some of the stigma with addiction.
"Every death from drug misuse is an avoidable human tragedy.
“With full power over drug legislation Scotland can move on from our current broken system and focus on harm reduction and undoing the damage that has been done."