|
|
Home
|
Minister praises Glasgow addiction services integrated working |
|
|
|
Tuesday, 11 December 2007 |
The Minister for Community Safety Fergus Ewing has praised local services and the "Glasgow philosophy" in tackling the scourge of drugs.
Delivering the opening lecture at the Glasgow Addiction Services Christmas Conference, Ewing said that he is seeking to create a national consensus on the way forward regarding addition services.
He said: “I strongly believe that we need to get beyond the stale debates of the past and build a new consensus based on evidence of what works. There is a self-indulgence in seeking to polarise any debate; in seeking to define camps or schools of thought; or to label or dismiss one set of solutions. I want to re-energise people working on the ground, who all too often are demoralised and dismayed by the quality of debate at national level.
“I am seeking a new national consensus on the way forward. One that includes an explicit commitment to research and evidence, while being at the cutting edge of developments across Europe and the World. I also give a personal commitment to work with colleagues across Parliament to put this issue above party politics, and for the Government - with the support of Parliament - to show national leadership.”
He added: “I'd like to pay tribute to the work being done in Glasgow and the wider area. You work with over a fifth of Scotland's problematic drug users, an estimated 12,000 heroin users.
“In the area you serve there are over 7000 children affected by at least one parent's serious drug problem - a truly harrowing and a stark reminder of the importance of the work you do on a daily basis, work that can sometimes go unrecognised.
“You are attempting to meet these challenges not just through commitment and hard work but through progressive and forward thinking structures. The decision to integrate different individuals and agencies working on drugs and alcohol and to create Glasgow Addiction Services was undoubtedly the right one, and I congratulate those responsible.”
No one has commented on this article.
Related news items:
|
Site news...
Have your say: We have introduced a comments system in our news and magazine article sections, submit your comments for approval. Your comments will feature in the "Your comments" section.
|
|
|
