https://theguardian.com/uk-news/jul/scotland-proposes-drug-decri…
The Scottish government is challenging Westminster to decriminalise all drugs for personal use, in a fresh attempt to tackle Scotland’s chronically high drug death rates.
Introducing a new paper on reform, Scotland’s drugs and alcohol policy minister, Elena Whitham, described the proposals as “ambitious and radical, grounded in evidence, that will help save lives”.
But Downing Street immediately dismissed the Scottish government’s calls to overhaul or devolve the legislation, which is reserved to Westminster, with the prime minister’s official spokesperson… Read more
@WigeonRoy11mos11MO
Scottish Govt bids to decriminalise all drugs for personal use to tackle Scotland’s high drug death rate
But Sunak & Starmer keep pushing failed 'war on drugs'
They'd rather see more drug deaths than follow successful decriminalisation in Portugal etc
@JubilantInauguration11mos11MO
Portugal is a myth , see the far-from-conservative Washington Post:
https://washingtonpost.com/world/2023/07/07/portugal-drugs-decriminalization-heroin-crack/
Sunak and Starmer tacitly support the same de facto decriminalisation which is in fact the reason for Scotland's terrible drug problems.
@TalentedLard11mos11MO
It is in fact not.
Deprivation is the reason. You know it, but you don't want to pay more tax to avoid it.
Maybe just for a cultural kick, go back and watch Trainspotting and tell us what the junkies had in common? I'll give you a hint. It wasn't being well healed.
@CheerfulPr0gressiveDemocrat11mos11MO
being deprived of a society that cares enough to consistently hand out tough love on being caught the second time is indeed a devastating form of deprivation which has ruined families across this nation
@WhitingSerenity11mos11MO
Ohhh....so one opinion piece in a news paper is evidence enough is it?
Portugal has 20+ years of evidence showing that treating drugs as a health and social issue improved outcomes and reduced deaths.
https://transformdrugs.org/blog/drug-decriminalisation-in-portugal-setting-the-record-straight
@P0litic4lDoveDemocrat11mos11MO
Twisting the Portuguese narrative is not only fake news, it denies the basic fact that decrim + health measures reduces drug deaths. PT is a testament of this.
With almost 13 deaths per day last year, the UK should be considering all solutions to stop this pub health crisis.
@SuperiorParrot11mos11MO
They never think through anything and clearly want to pick another fight with the UK govt - a distraction from their woeful record on drug deaths, which as they have risen so has there been a decline in the level of rehab services.
@ResolvedDoughnut11mos11MO
The key is addressing poverty, and education. Then treatment and - yes- accountability , but evermore criminalisation will not work. It’s about poverty, lack of opportunity, and again - poverty- but no sign of any party grabbing that by horns.
