Glasgow councillors have joined forces to tackle Scotland’s drug death crisis which claimed the lives of 1300 Scots last year.
There was unanimous support in the chamber from all parties to back proposals which include exploring ways to improve access to rehabilitation services and helping people into recovery.
The motion was introduced by Conservative councillor Thomas Kerr, who has a first hand experience of the drug crisis which he says has engulfed Scotland.
READ MORE: Glasgow drug deaths 'unacceptable and shameful' as support groups urge early intervention
Bailie Kerr worked with fellow councillors to outline a series of measures they believe must be taken to reduce the number of people dying from drugs.
These included highlighting Scottish Conservative leader Douglas Ross’ plans for a Right To Recovery Bill which would guarantee a right to treatment for all those who need it, and was written in conjunction with experts FAVOR (Faces and Voices of Recovery).
Councillor Kerr also insisted that there was agreement over the council’s key role in implementing medical assisted treatment, supporting organisations such as FAVOR in their work and support for the introduction of safe consumption rooms.
FAVOR recently published a report with six key recommendations to support recovery from problematic substance use.
They included
- Introducing a centralised referral and funding system to end the 'postcode lottery' to residential rehab and provide a more consistent approach across the country
- Introducing guidelines to ensure that psycho-social and mental health is provided alongside substance management
- Introducing statistics to measure the number of people waiting more than six months, 12 months and 24 months for residential rehab and other forms of treatment too
During the meeting, councillor Kerr said: “FAVOR’s report makes it abundantly clear that despite a year passing and politicians talking, the system is still broken.
“I do acknowledge that a small decrease in the number in terms of those who passed away with a drug-related death but let’s not kid ourselves, progress is too slow and people are dying. Last year, 1330 people died because our government ‘took their eye off the ball’.
“The numbers should shame all of us on every side of this chamber. That was a decrease of just six from the previous year, but an increase of 463 since I lost a family member back in 2016.
“Something must change, and we can be that change. We can be that chamber that unanimously stands together, puts the politics to one side and says enough is enough.”
He then went on to tell his story and how addiction had affected his family.
“It’s about a young woman who fell into addiction at a very young age,” councillor Kerr said.
“She had a son at 18 years old and struggled back and forward with this for 21 years. Her family wanted nothing more than for her to get clean and to start her life properly. Another child came along 11 years ago, but the woman still struggled.
“Finally in 2017, she had had enough, she decided she needed to get help. She went to the crisis centre in Glasgow to start her recovery, but there wasn’t enough space.”
The woman returned every single day until a bed became free, travelling from the East End to Tradeston.
Councillor Kerr added: “Luckily, that woman was determined and she did eventually get that space and the funding for rehabilitation. That woman is now four years clean and works with others to help them recover. I don’t mind telling you, that woman is my mum and she makes me so proud every single day.
“She wouldn’t be where she is today if it wasn’t for rehab. That’s why this bill must pass in parliament to give everyone in Scotland the right to rehabilitation if they seek it.”
Members across the chamber agreed that something should be done to tackle addiction once and for all to prevent the high levels of drug related deaths.
Labour councillor Kieran Turner said: “The issue of addiction is sadly one that touches all of us and I am sure every one of us in this chamber will have some experience of the devastation caused to our friends and family and perhaps even ourselves.
“Living in the East End I know all too well this reality. Just last week I was talking to a friend who is a local minister who had just taken his 21st funeral of someone in our local community who had lost their life to addiction.
“Everyone, a son, daughter, brother, sister, parent or a friend. Everyone - a life taken far too soon. I hope in this area, whatever our political persuasion, we can together find the compassion to match the passion and I am glad we seem for the most part able to do this today.”
SNP councillor Alex Kerr said: “I want to thank baillie Kerr for sharing his experience. Coming from the East End this is an issue that has touched families across the area and I am delighted to see cross party support for this.”
Councillor Blair Anderson added: “Addiction is not a natural phenomenon. People do not fall into addiction, they are pushed into addiction by the trauma which is exacted upon them by the state which means they are not able to cope with the circumstances on which they find themselves.”
Speaking after the meeting Conservative group leader Thomas Kerr said that the onus is now on leaders in the Scottish Parliament to match this cross-party working and tackle the scourge of drug deaths.
He said : “I am absolutely delighted that this vital motion in relation to Scotland’s drug deaths crisis achieved cross-party support in Glasgow City chambers.
“Drug deaths are our national shame and I have personally been devastated by the loss of a family member as a result of drugs. I fully understand the frustrations from FAVOR and other organisations that they feel that politicians talk about this crisis and then forget about it.
“My motion was determined to show that is not the case. While I was proud to highlight my own party’s plans through Douglas Ross’ Right to Recovery Bill, I also wanted to find common ground with other councillors.
“There is no silver bullet to tackle the drug deaths crisis. That is why the motion proposed a number of measures and how we can work as a council with organisations to deliver the support that is required.
“I thank other parties for working together with me on this. The SNP administration have backed the aspiration of Douglas Ross’ Right to Recovery Bill so the onus is now on parties in the Scottish Parliament to show the same level of ambition and ensure that everyone who needs access to treatment gets it.”
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