DECRIMINALISATION should be “part of the discussion” amid a “hugely concerning” increase in drug deaths, Scotland’s Health Secretary has said.
His comments came as new figures today showed drugs claimed the lives of 1172 Scots in 2023 – up 121 from last year’s total.
Neil Gray said the Scottish Government was “working hard to respond to the growing threat from highly dangerous, super-strong synthetic opioids like nitazenes” which were involved in 23 deaths.
He added: “My heartfelt condolences go to all those affected by the loss of a loved one through drugs.
“This level of deaths remains hugely concerning and underlines why we will continue to do all we can to reduce harm and deaths caused by drugs.”
Speaking on a visit to the Skylark IX Recovery Trust – a boat-building project which helps people struggling with substance use in Dumbarton, West Dunbartonshire – Gray also suggested that “all available options” should be considered to fight drug deaths in Scotland, including decriminalisation.
"The decriminalisation of drugs is a responsibility held elsewhere, but I believe it should be part of the discussion," he said.
There have previously been calls from the Scottish Government for drugs policy to be devolved in order to decriminalise drug use in Scotland, including last year from former drugs policy minister Elena Whitham (below).
It comes amid calls for Scotland to adopt the stance Portugal took in 2001 when the nation decriminalised personal drug use. This led to a significant drop in drug-related deaths, HIV infection rates and drug-related crimes.
Despite the rise in deaths last year, Gray highlighted that some measures, for example the forthcoming pilot safe drug consumption room in Glasgow, are yet to be implemented.
Applications from organisations in Aberdeen and Dundee for similar facilities were submitted earlier this year and Scottish Government funding of £1 million has been committed to establish the three sites.
Last month, meanwhile, a licence application was also submitted to the UK Government Home Office for a drug-checking pilot to be established in Glasgow.
Gray called for these initiatives to be “fast tracked”, adding that negotiation in the past with the Tory UK Government could have been “more productive” .
He added: “I believe that we should have a much better working relationship with the new [Labour] UK government.
“I believe the safe consumption room [in Glasgow] should be operational this autumn. And I am hopeful that our discussions with the UK government around the drug testing facilities can move forward.”
The Health Secretary (above, speaking to the media) said he believed the Scottish Government was on the “right path” in terms of the investments that are in place and the work that is “still to come”, which he said was supported by “international evidence”.
Gray added: “We’re taking a wide range of actions through our £250 million national mission on drugs, including opening a safer drug consumption facility pilot, working towards the opening of drug-checking facilities and widening access to life-saving naloxone.
“We will also continue to improve access to residential rehab, where we’re on track to meet our target for additional placements, and drive the rollout of medication assisted treatment (MAT) standards to make treatment and support available more quickly.
“We’ve seen a 67% increase in funding from 2014-15 to 2024-25 and made record levels of funding, of more than £112 million, available to alcohol and drugs partnerships (ADPs).
“Additional national mission funding and support has created momentum in local areas to put services in place to save lives. We’ve now backed more than 300 grassroots projects, including the Skylark IX project in Dumbarton.”
