SCOTTISH Tories are becoming ever more isolated in their opposition to Scotland’s change in approach to drug policy, after Labour leader Keir Starmer backed the plans for police to issue a warning to those possessing Class A drugs, rather than pursuing prosecution.
In an interview, the former head of the Crown Prosecution Service in England said that the change by Scotland’s Lord Advocate was “probably the right thing to do”. The move has also been “warmly welcomed” by Martin Powell of the Transform Drug Policy Foundation, describing it as a “win-win, reducing reoffending and saving police time”.
READ MORE: Scots carrying Class A drugs may be given 'warning' in radical new policing plans
Despite the backing of the policy, the Tories continue to create opposition for opposition’s sake in opposing the change.
That’s despite in 2018 when the Tories released their plan for drug users, which would give them a “second chance”.
SNP MSP Kaukab Stewart said: “The new approach adopted by the Lord Advocate is a significant step in how Scotland deals with our drug deaths emergency, it will allow police more time to tackle the dealers and give drug users an opportunity to seek help.
“We need bold thinking to reduce drug deaths in Scotland and I welcome Keir Starmer backing the policy. It is also encouraging that the change in approach has been backed by campaigners. However, the Tories are still stuck in the 1980s in how we deal with drug addiction – we cannot arrest our way out of the drugs crisis.
“This attitude from the Tories stems from Westminster where they continue to refuse to repeal the Misuse of Drugs Act which is demonstrably unfit for purpose.
“The Tories say they want to combat the drugs crisis but reject any new approaches like drug consumption rooms and stick to meaningless slogans.
“We will continue to make bold policy decisions to tackle drug deaths in Scotland, whilst the Tories continue to stick their head in the sand and create opposition for opposition’s sake.”
Why are you making commenting on The National only available to subscribers?
We know there are thousands of National readers who want to debate, argue and go back and forth in the comments section of our stories. We’ve got the most informed readers in Scotland, asking each other the big questions about the future of our country.
Unfortunately, though, these important debates are being spoiled by a vocal minority of trolls who aren’t really interested in the issues, try to derail the conversations, register under fake names, and post vile abuse.
So that’s why we’ve decided to make the ability to comment only available to our paying subscribers. That way, all the trolls who post abuse on our website will have to pay if they want to join the debate – and risk a permanent ban from the account that they subscribe with.
The conversation will go back to what it should be about – people who care passionately about the issues, but disagree constructively on what we should do about them. Let’s get that debate started!
Callum Baird, Editor of The National
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules hereLast Updated:
Report this comment Cancel