The UK government has rejected various recommendations to tackle problem drug use in Scotland

The UK government has rejected various recommendations put forward by the House of Commons Scottish Affairs Committee, which had said that an innovative approach was required to tackle problem drug use.

The government rejected the SAC’s calls to declare a public health emergency over drug misuse, and to transfer lead responsibility for drugs policy from the Home Office to the Department of Health and Social Care. Furthermore, the UK government stated that it has no plans to decriminalise drug possession. The SAC had recommended decriminalisation of possession of small amount of drugs for personal use – in its report – Problem drug use in Scotland.

Also, the UK government stated that primary legislation would be required to provide security to those operating drug consumption rooms, which would take a large amount of time to implement, as well as develop, in response to a recommendation that the UK government brings forward the legislation needed to enable for the lawful establishment of a pilot safe consumption facility based in Scotland.

Despite this, the UK government agreed in principle with the SAC’s call for the underlying causes of drug misuse, such as social inequality, to be acknowledged in approaches to the problem, and for the governments to work collectively in a cross-departmental approach that engages with third-sector organisations and health services.

The UK government stated that it was taking action to challenge problem drug use; however, it acknowledged that there’s more work to be done.