Time to Re-write Scotland's Policy on Drugs?

Informations

• Publié par: Holyrood
• Nombre de lectures: 12
• Langue: English

Extrait

Time to Re-write Scotland's Policy on Drugs?

PR Newswire EDINBURGH, October 22, 2012

EDINBURGH,October 22, 2012/PRNewswire/ --

Leading drug experts are supporting calls for a reform of drug policy inScotland in a report published today with policy magazine Holyrood. The report provides shocking statistics which underline the urgent need to rectify the current situation, including:

53 per cent of problem drug users inScotland are not currently receiving treatment, compared to just 33 per cent in England

The cost to society of someone not in treatment is estimated at around £50,000 per year

Social and economic costs of illicit drugs trade inScotland is £3.5billion and judicial system costs of drug crime equates to £73 million 59,600 problem drug users in Scotland; twice the prevalence inEngland and Wales

Discussing improvements that could be made to current drug policy, industry experts emphasise the need to support drug treatment services by: Offering a full breadth of recovery support; fostering a broad culture of openness and; taking greater accountability for improving past failings. Dr Richard Simpson, MSP for M id Scotland and Fife suggests a need to "examine all approaches in other countriesScotland." to determine future strategy for

Issues revolving around the current Scottish drugs policy has received significant media coverage since statistics published in August showed drug-related deaths have reached record levels; 584 in 2011, with more related to methadone than heroin.

Speaking about the need for improved drug policy, N eil McKeganey, Director of the Centre for Drug Misuse Research in Glasgow, said: "We need a much greater willingness to recognise past failures and difficulties and a more mature attitude towards drug and alcohol policy."

To read the full report and find out more information about the current situation inScotland please visit http://www.holyrood.com.