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SCOTLAND’S public health minister has written to the Home Secretary for a third time calling for an urgent meeting over drug deaths — after two previous letters were ignored, the Scottish government revealed today.
The SNP’s Joe FitzPatrick called on Tory Priti Patel to “commit to attending a summit” in Glasgow.
His previous letters received no response from Ms Patel or her predecessor Sajid Javid.
Deaths caused by drugs in Scotland rose by more than a quarter last year to 1,187 — a higher rate than anywhere in Europe and the highest since current records began in 1996.
Mr FitzPatrick said the issue should be a priority for both governments, adding that First Minister Nicola Sturgeon had raised the issue with Boris Johnson on July 29.
In an August 23 letter, he wrote: “I believe Mr Johnson indicated a willingness for his government to engage on this important issue.
“As I set out in my previous correspondence, I consider that the matter of drug deaths should be a priority for both our governments.
“Your predecessor Mr Javid, and your colleagues, Mr Mundell and Mr Hancock, expressed similar concerns over the matter and stated they would seek to make progress on a collaborative basis.
“I hope you can commit to attending a summit on this subject in Glasgow which we plan to host in the near future.”
It is understood the Home Office has received the letter and will respond in due course.
