Input from people with lived experience of drugs to help others in addiction is a no-brainer. The potential impact that such people can make is enormous.
And there are few people in the UK who can give testimony to the possibility of recovery as Dr David McCartney.
He did the hard yards 20 years ago, beginning a recovery from alcoholism that has enabled him to help countless people with their own addictions.
Dr McCartney is a living monument to the possibility of recovery. His recruitment of a team of “peer bridgers” in Edinburgh should be applauded.
And any person choosing to make a bid to break free from all drugs should be given every support.
In Scotland we hear too few stories of recovery from drugs – yet there are thousands of people thriving in our society who have achieved that.
Rehab should not be seen as a desperate resort doomed to failure.
Each one of Dr McCartney’s peer workers should be seen as emblems of hope – a commodity that is in such short supply in Scotland, as drug deaths continue to soar.
We know from endless research that a drug-free life is hard to achieve. The road may well be a long and bumpy one, with relapses along the way.
But every person who puts a life of addiction behind them has the potential to inspire others to follow their lead. A life free from all drugs should be the ultimate goal that no one should be denied, given the right support.
E-cigs eco danger
Rising sales of single use disposable vapes are harming Scotland’s attempt at becoming an environmental leader.
Around 10 per cent of all single use products are estimated to be thrown away as litter. That equates to tonnes of plastic waste every year.
A new report, co-authored by Zero Waste Scotland, has demonstrated the environmental harms caused by these disposables.
It also acknowledges green concerns are now more “prominent in the minds of the public”.
So what can be done?
Policy options flagged up include a ban, which the Record has called for in our hard-hitting campaign. Other options, such as a levy on consumers, are interesting, but would not be enough.
The Scottish Government has engaged constructively on the issue and made all the right noises. But this report shows that bold action is required and a ban must be implemented as soon as possible.
Progress has been made but there is much more still to be done.
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