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MSPs were urged to back bold action to tackle Scotland’s drug death crisis during a Holyrood debate today.
Motions put forward by all five parties in the Scottish Parliament called for measures to curb the number of deaths linked to illegal drug use.
Scotland has by far the highest rate of drug deaths of any country in Europe, with 1,264 deaths registered in 2019.
A motion put forward by the Greens calls on MSPs to tie SNP ministers to a commitment to investigate urgently how safe consumption spaces can be established in Scotland.
Green MSP Gillian Mackay said: “Safe consumption rooms could play an important role in reducing drug deaths and delivering wider community benefits.
“The UK government’s war on drugs has failed. It is time for Scotland to adopt a different approach that prioritises public health.”
Similar calls were made by Scottish Labour, with MSP Claire Baker proposing an amended motion suggesting that the resources of the police and justice system should be focused on supporting life-saving public health interventions.
