Scottish authorities calls on Westminster to decriminalise private drug use
The Scottish authorities has referred to as on Westminster to decriminalise all medicine for private use.
Ministers stated the transfer, outlined in a brand new paper on drug legislation reform, would enable these present in possession of drugs to be handled and supported, quite than criminalised and excluded.
Decriminalisation would additionally imply individuals in restoration would have a greater likelihood of employment as a result of they’d not have a legal file, the Scottish authorities stated.
Other proposals embody fast legislative adjustments to permit Scottish ministers to implement hurt discount measures, equivalent to supervised drug consumption services and improve entry to the life-saving drug naloxone.
The doc outlines measures that may very well be applied by means of additional devolution, independence, or adjustments enacted instantly by the UK authorities to assist the work being finished inside present powers to cut back drug deaths.
The Scottish Minister for Drugs Policy, Elena Whitham, stated: “These are ambitious and radical proposals, grounded in evidence, that will help save lives.
“We need to create a society the place problematic drug use is handled as a well being, not a legal, matter, decreasing stigma and discrimination and enabling the particular person to get better and contribute positively to society.
“While we know these proposals will spark debate, they are in line with our public health approach and would further our national mission to improve and save lives.
“We are working laborious throughout the powers we’ve got to cut back drug deaths, and whereas there’s extra we have to do, our strategy is solely at odds with the Westminster laws we should function inside.”
Scottish medicine coverage minister Elena Whitham says the proposals are ‘grounded in proof’
Updating drug classification system
Other proposals embody a street map for additional exploration of drug legislation reform, targeted on proof and the discount of hurt, together with an replace of the drug classification system to be based mostly on harms precipitated.
Ms Whittam stated a right away method for the insurance policies to be enacted could be for the UK authorities to make use of its present powers to vary drug legal guidelines.
“Scotland needs a caring, compassionate and human rights-informed drugs policy, with public health and the reduction of harm as its underlying principles, and we are ready to work with the UK government to put into practice this progressive policy,” she stated.
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Other proposals embody growing entry to the life-saving drug naloxone
No plans to change ‘powerful stance’ on medicine
But Downing Street stated Rishi Sunak had no plans to change his “tough stance” on medicine.
Asked if the prime minister was more likely to grant the Scottish authorities’s request, his spokesperson stated: “No”.
They added: “Whilst I haven’t seen those reports, I think I’m confident enough to say that there are no plans to alter our tough stance on drugs.”
Shadow Chancellor Rachel Reeves additionally dominated out the coverage.
“The short answer is no,” she informed journalists throughout a go to to Scotland. “I don’t think this sounds like a good policy.”
Scottish Labour Leader Anas Sarwar stated drug deaths are thrice as excessive in Scotland as elsewhere within the UK, regardless of having the identical drug legal guidelines, whereas Ms Reeves added it was not a “constitutional issue”.