A report concluded that death in Scotland is the highest in Europe and the toll is still rising. According to the reports, the drug-related deaths have almost become two times. The reports also suggested that death due to drugs were 545 in 2009 and hiked up to 934 in 2017. In addition to these, most deaths occurred due to the consumption of heroin among other drugs.
The Scottish government invested around 740 million pounds to address the issue but there has been no significant difference. The government is willing to spend more in order to tackle the issues related to drugs and alcohol. About three-quarters of the deaths occurred due to the drugs in 2017 impacted the people of age 35 and over which has increased from 54% to 76% in the last eight years.
Since the government banned the use of a drug called Spice and termed it as illegal, the consumption of the psychoactive drug has largely reduced inflicting a ray of optimism to tackle the woes of drug abuse. However, the usage has been found recently in the prisons according to the Scotland audits.
The crisis of drug deaths
Auditor General for Scotland has remarked that the substance abuse among the fellow citizens is found to have reduced to a large extent. However, strategies and steps are being taken to further slash the problems.
Caroline Gardner holding the post confronted the media by stating: “The last decade has seen many sound achievements in drugs and alcohol treatment with the rise of rehabilitation and intervention centers. With a minimum unit of pricing for alcohol and improved drug harm reduction strategies, the drug deaths are set to lower down.”
“But there are no clear performance data to understand the measures that are working which makes it difficult for the government to aim for the correct strategies of reducing death.
Joe FitzPatrick, the public health minister addressed to the situation as being a death drug emergency in Scotland which will wash away soon and they are trying their best to keep the situation under control.
Health has become the topmost priority for Scotland in the recent time and Graham Sharp, chairman of the Accounts Commission for Scotland, said: “Problem of drug and alcohol use have become significant issues for Scotland.”
Joe FitzPatrick also added: “The Audit Scotland report recognizes our support for the medically-supervised and safe environment, but the UK government has rejected us. We want to direct our innovative ways and ideas while keeping a clear approach on the health of our residents and if the UK is unwilling to act then I believe that they should respect the will of the Scottish parliament and should allow us to impose necessary laws.”
In the wake of the events, the senators are willing to land the essential bills and drop the updates with the commission to effectively implement activities and investments across Scotland to treat and support the inhabitants in every way possible.
