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 mentioned the transfer, outlined in a brand new paper on drug regulation reform, would permit these present in possession of medicine to be handled and supported, somewhat 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 prison document, the Scottish authorities mentioned.

Other proposals embody fast legislative adjustments to permit Scottish ministers to implement hurt discount measures, comparable to supervised drug consumption services and enhance entry to the life-saving drug naloxone.

The doc outlines measures that may very well be carried out via additional devolution, independence, or adjustments enacted instantly by the UK authorities to help the work being carried out inside present powers to cut back drug deaths.

The Scottish Minister for Drugs Policy, Elena Whitham, mentioned: “These are ambitious and radical proposals, grounded in evidence, that will help save lives.

“We wish to create a society the place problematic drug use is handled as a well being, not a prison, matter, lowering 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 exhausting throughout the powers now we have 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.”

Updating drug classification system

Other proposals embody a highway map for additional exploration of drug regulation reform, targeted on proof and the discount of hurt, together with an replace of the drug classification system to be primarily based on harms triggered.

Ms Whittam mentioned 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 mentioned.

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No plans to change ‘robust stance’ on medicine

But Downing Street mentioned Rishi Sunak had no plans to change his “tough stance” on medicine.

Asked if the prime minister was prone to grant the Scottish authorities’s request, his spokesperson mentioned: “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 mentioned 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”.