Scottish drug proposals would do ‘untold damage’, says Braverman
H
ome Secretary Suella Braverman has instructed the Scottish Government its proposals to decriminalise medication for private use would do “untold damage to our neighbourhoods”.
Scottish medication minister Elena Whitham introduced the plans on Friday – which might require the backing of the UK Government – together with a framework for the creation of secure consumption rooms and the consideration of implementing the regulated provide of medication.
Within an hour of the announcement, the Prime Minister’s official spokesman had knocked down the proposals.
In a gathering with Scottish Social Justice Secretary Shirley-Anne Somerville on Tuesday, the Home Secretary once more hit out on the plans.
A readout of the assembly supplied by the Home Office described the assembly as “fiery”.
“To be clear this government will not be changing our policy on personal use of illegal drugs,” the Home Secretary stated on the London assembly.
“I am very clear that illegal drugs destroy lives and communities – they are devastating.
“The proposals I read from the Scottish National Party last week are irresponsible and would do untold damage to our neighbourhoods.
“We’re focused on protecting people and preventing lives from being ruined, targeting gangs and preventing supply of drugs from overseas.
“We’ve absolutely no intention of decriminalising illegal drug use and I think the Scottish National Party should focus their efforts on what powers they do have such as reforming health outcomes for the Scottish people.
“Drug deaths are still a huge problem in Scotland and this government is keen to work together to try to tackle that problem and prevent the very levels of drug deaths in Scotland.”
According to the readout, the Social Justice Secretary stated the 2 Governments would all the time “fundamentally disagree” on medication.
Scotland has had the best stage of drug-related deaths in Western Europe lately, with 1,330 recorded in 2021 – the most recent information set – and the Scottish Government is trying to extra radical approaches to stem the tide.
A spokesman for Shirley-Anne Somerville stated: “It is disappointing to see well-evidenced proposals once again being rejected in such a high-handed manner, without the UK Government even having gone to the bother of giving them proper consideration.
“This is a serious issue, and we all agree on the need to save lives and reduce harm – which we believe is best done by treating this as a public health issue.
“Westminster is out of touch with the general public, who rightly expect a mature and open-minded debate about the right way forward.
“The Scottish Government is ready and willing to work constructively with the UK Government, the political parties at Holyrood and of course stakeholders more widely to make progress.”