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Europe's drug death capital: Is decriminalisation Scotland’s answer?
Oct 2, 2023
Political Correspondent John Boothman joins the podcast to discuss Scotland's high drug-related death rate and the potential benefits of decriminalization. They explore the causes of Scotland's drug crisis, compare it to Portugal's approach to decriminalization, and discuss the effectiveness of drug safe rooms as a solution.
28:32
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Quick takeaways
- Scotland is facing a severe drug crisis, with the highest rate of drug-related deaths in Europe, and is considering decriminalizing drugs for personal use.
- Polydrug use and the lack of treatment centers and rehab beds are major challenges contributing to Scotland's high number of drug-related deaths, and Portugal's experience highlights the importance of comprehensive policies, including decriminalization and strong investment in treatment and harm reduction strategies.
Deep dives
Scotland's Growing Drug Crisis
Scotland is facing a severe drug crisis, with the highest rate of drug-related deaths in Europe. The problem has been escalating for decades, and despite various governments' attempts to control the crisis, they have failed. The drug laws are seen as punitive and discriminatory, criminalizing drug users. To address this, the Scottish Drugs Policy Minister has proposed decriminalizing drugs for personal use. Furthermore, Glasgow recently approved the opening of the first drug consumption room, providing a safe space for users to consume drugs without fear of arrest. These measures are inspired by Portugal, where the decriminalization of drug use was introduced over 20 years ago.
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Discover
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