Campaigners claim an opportunity for radical reform of drug policy in Scotland has been missed after key posts were filled by a former top cop and a nursing boss.
The Scottish Government moved fast to replace the chair and vice-chair of the Drug Deaths Taskforce.
But the replacements for Prof Catriona Matheson and Neil Richardson have been branded “status quo appointments” by the FAVOR charity, which represents those with lived experience of drugs.
Chief executive Annemarie Ward spoke out after David Strang, ex-chief constable of Lothian and Borders Police, and Professor Fiona McQueen, a former nursing director at NHS Lanarkshire and NHS Ayrshire & Arran, were appointed.
She said: “The Scottish Government and the Taskforce are moving back towards the status quo, rather than seeking radical responses.”
A Scottish Government spokesperson said: “The new chair and vice-chair bring valuable expertise to the Taskforce.”
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