London (Parliament Politic Magazine) – Douglas Ross insists that in order to demonstrate a genuine commitment to addressing Scotland’s alarming drug death rate, Humza Yousaf must fully embrace the implementation of a Right to Recovery Bill. The leader of the Scottish Conservative Party has made this call in anticipation of the annual report from the National Records of Scotland, which is scheduled for release on Tuesday. This report will detail the number of individuals who lost their lives due to direct consequences of drug misuse in the year 2022.
Individuals Dealing with Addiction
With Scotland currently holding the unfortunate distinction of having the highest rate of drug-related fatalities in Europe, the Scottish Drugs Forum—providing support for those grappling with addiction—has cautioned that this distressing trend is likely to persist based on the forthcoming figures. It’s worth noting that Mr. Ross had introduced the proposal for the Right to Recovery Bill in advance of the 2021 Holyrood elections.
The proposed legislation seeks to establish a legal guarantee for individuals dealing with addiction to avail their preferred mode of treatment, unless a medical professional deems it potentially harmful. In the year 2021, Scotland witnessed 1,330 fatalities attributed to drug-related causes, representing a mortality rate of approximately 245 deaths for every one million individuals.
This rate stands significantly higher than that of any other European nation, with Norway being the closest comparison, having a rate 3.8 times lower, and even England and Wales lagging behind by a factor of 4.9.
During his bid to succeed Nicola Sturgeon as both First Minister and leader of the SNP, the First Minister expressed his endorsement for the Tory-sponsored Bill. In contrast, Mr. Ross has criticized the Scottish Government for what he perceives as a lack of urgency, suggesting that their efforts are disproportionately focused on the decriminalization of drugs.
Scottish Government Releases Reformation of Drug Laws
In the previous month, the Scottish Government released a document advocating for a reformation of drug laws, urging the UK Government to decriminalize the possession of all drugs for personal use. Under this proposal, individuals found with substances would receive support rather than face criminal charges. However, the UK Government rejected these suggestions within an hour of the document’s publication.
Mr. Ross emphasized the severity of Scotland’s drug-related deaths crisis, labeling it a national emergency. He noted that the fatality rate in Scotland greatly surpasses that of both the rest of Europe and the UK, necessitating immediate attention from the Scottish Government. He criticized the SNP’s neglect over the years and called for action to prevent further heart-wrenching losses in Scottish families.
He expressed hope for a significant reduction in last year’s distressing total of drug-related deaths. Nevertheless, even with improvements, Scotland could still remain an outlier in comparison to the rest of the continent.
A major obstacle for those dealing with addiction is the challenge of accessing treatment. To address this, the Right to Recovery Bill, currently being advanced in Parliament, is highlighted as vital. The bill aims to legally ensure that everyone has the right to receive life-saving treatment, a notion endorsed by experts, charities, and those with personal experiences.
Read More: BVI Delegation Visits UK Parliament To Build Strong Relations
Drug Related Deaths in Scotland
Despite initial indications of support from Humza Yousaf during the SNP leadership election, concerns have arisen due to his recent silence on the issue. This is compounded by his seeming endorsement of drug decriminalization.
Calling for immediate action to end the “national shame” of drug-related deaths in Scotland, Alex Cole-Hamilton, the Scottish Liberal Democrat leader, criticized the previous administration’s reduction of funding for essential services under Nicola Sturgeon’s leadership. With drug deaths far surpassing European averages, he implored Humza Yousaf to take action where his predecessor had faltered.
The Scottish Liberal Democrats have outlined a series of measures they believe could mitigate drug-related deaths. These include the establishment of heroin-assisted treatment and safe consumption spaces, the formation of specialized Family Drug and Alcohol Commissions to provide comprehensive support.
It is diverting individuals caught with personal-use quantities of drugs toward education and rehabilitation rather than imprisonment. Additionally, they advocate for free care and treatment for individuals and families dealing with substance-related risks. All these efforts may turn out to be good for people suffering from addiction.