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Provide heroin and injecting rooms for addicts say experts |
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Monday, 09 June 2008 |
Scottish drug addicts should be provided with heroin to assist their treatment and be able to consume their drugs in Swiss-style consumption rooms according to a report released by the Scottish Futures Forum today.
The Holyrood think tank has been looking into drug and alcohol misuse in Scotland, and has concluded that a radical approach is required in order to arrest the problems caused by substance misuse.
Other recommendations include bringing all psychoactive substances including illicit drugs as well as alcohol and prescribed medicine under a single regulatory framework according to their potential to cause harm and ensuring alcohol and drug misuse issues are seen predominantly as a health issue, not a criminal justice matter.
Frank Pignatelli, Chair of the report's Project Board, said:
“When I agreed to chair this project, I knew there was no silver bullet, no hidden answer waiting to be discovered. Instead we have sought to understand the extent of the challenge we face away from other more narrowly focussed or short-term debates.
“The Forum has concluded that significantly reducing the damage caused by drug and alcohol misuse is possible with strong leadership, honest debate and sophisticated, flexible policy approaches based on what works. After all, some of the problem alcohol and drugs users of 2025 have yet to be born, so it's all to play for.”
Tom Wood, Vice Chair of the report's Project Board and former Deputy Chief Constable of Lothian and Borders Police, added:
“We seldom get the opportunity to stand back and take a cool look at the major issues we struggle with day to day. The Forum's project has given us that chance, to reflect on how we would set about achieving a major reduction in the damage caused by drugs and alcohol. It is clear that to bring about such a change, a bold, long term approach is required, with a change in emphasis to a more balanced evidence-based policy. I believe that Scotland's new drug strategy has laid the foundations for such a change. And I hope that the work of the Forum will signpost the next steps we need to take.”
Roger Howard, chief executive of the UK Drug Policy Commission, said:
“This report is an extremely welcome and valuable contribution to the debate. The Forum's long-term focus and ambition has led to some brave conclusions which have been grounded by careful consideration of evidence but will nevertheless challenge conventional thinking. By recognising the many societal factors that contribute to the drug and alcohol problems in Scotland, it becomes clear that a narrow view of 'drug policy' is inadequate. The rewards for addressing the bigger picture are likely to be much greater.”
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