Drug-related deaths in Scotland lie squarely at the feet of Nicola Sturgeon

Following on from Jay Jackson’s piece for LabourList, in response to England’s latest deaths by drug poisoning data, the reality in Scotland is different – and even more tragic. Drug law is, of course, reserved to Westminster. In the drugs space, however, we have devolved powers in policing, justice and health.

Annual figures published by the National Records of Scotland (NRS) a few days before the English statistics were released showed that there were 1,330 deaths as a result of drug misuse in Scotland in 2021. The different terminologies used are interesting; indeed, the Scottish government also issues quarterly ‘suspected drug deaths’ numbers that are based upon reports from Police Scotland, the unitary policing authority for Scotland, using different indicators for a drugs-related death.

The NRS recorded 1,339 drug misuse deaths in 2020, the worst in Europe. When questioned on these numbers in 2021, SNP First Minister Nicola Sturgeon said “we took our eye off the ball” and “this is Scotland’s shame”. No, Nicola, it’s your shame – and it comes down fairly and squarely to the SNP and its failing and out-of-touch government.

Responding to the latest instalment of figures from the NRS this July, Sturgeon tweeted: “It is welcome that deaths in 2021 were slightly down on year before – and that year-on-year increase since 2013 has halted.” In March earlier this year, the independent Audit Scotland wrote of the SNP strategy that “there is a lack of drive and leadership by the Scottish government in the drugs and alcohol field”.

• The scheme extends to possession offences only; it does not extend to drug supply offences. Robust prosecutorial action will continue to be taken in relation to the supply of controlled drugs.
• RPWs do not represent decriminalisation, but a proportionate criminal justice response to a level of offending, and are an enforcement of the law.
• Offering nor accepting an RPW is mandatory. Police officers retain the ability to report appropriate cases to the procurator fiscal (PF). Accused persons retain the right to reject the offer of a warning.
• Finally, neither offering a recorded police warning nor reporting a case to the PF prevents an officer referring a vulnerable person to support services.

I am afraid I do not share what I believe is a hopeful take on reform found in Jay’s piece. Keir Starmer has shown no interest in reform. Indeed, he has constantly set his face against it. Perhaps we can have hope in the power of policy motions at the UK Labour Party’s annual conference next month?

We do have some hope in Scotland, though, with our leader Anas Sarwar showing an open mind. Social justice charity Cranstoun said: “On our trip to Holyrood [on June 30th 2022] we met with 33 MSPs and managed to secure the signatures of 29 MSPs pledging their support for the Cranstoun approach. Our public affairs briefing, Connecting the Dots, was warmly received across the parliament and continues to influence the political debate.”