Glasgow Drug Summit Discusses Death Toll

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Glasgow Drug Summit Discusses Death Toll
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Glasgow Drug Summit To Discuss What To Do About
Drug Deaths Amid Record-Breaking Toll Scotland
is currently facing a crisis over the rising
number of drug-related deaths across the
country.  This may be about to get worse as
Covid-19 diverts NHS resources to other
activities. The past few years have seen a
tragic spike in the number of fatalities. In
2018, almost 1200 deaths in Scotland were
drug-related. This number may be higher in 2019.
Reportedly, Glasgow had the largest number of
drug deaths in 2018. So it was sadly fitting that
the city would be the site of a major summit on
how to tackle the problem. The Scottish Drugs
Conference recently took place at the Scottish
Events Campus (SEC), on the banks of the River
Clyde. Organised by the Scottish Government and
Glasgow City Council, it welcomed about 350
delegates from across the United Kingdom. They
met to discuss the rise of drug fatalities
and what can be done to prevent it.
Key issues and Living with Dependency The
conference allowed those fighting the war against
drugs, providing front line services and people
with personal experience of addiction the chance
to discuss the issues. The delegates talked about
what it is like to live with dependency, what may
be contributing to the upsurge in drug deaths in
Scotland, and how to find a solution.
Attendees were also instructed on the proper use
of the drug Naloxone to counteract the effects of
opioid overdose.
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The conference had keynote speeches from
prestigious speakers such as the Chair of the
Drug Deaths Taskforce, the CEO of the Scottish
Recovery Consortium and Public Health Minister,
Joe FitzPatrick. They were joined by the leader
of Glasgow City Council Susan Aitken, who has
said decisive action must be taken to reduce drug
death emergencies in Scotland. Consumption
Rooms The SNP councillor has spoken of the need
for safe consumption rooms. These offer addicts a
secure location to take drugs and help get them
off the streets. They may be a controversial idea
in some quarters. However, Miss Aitken called for
the UK government to support their
introduction. Miss Aitken maintains there have
been indications overseas that safe consumption
rooms are effective.  They provide drug users
secure, protected surroundings and a strong
support system. This reduces the possibility of
anti-social behaviour and used needles being
discarded in the street. She also told the
assembled delegates that, although Glasgow may
unfortunately be suffering record numbers of drug
deaths, it can still be on the forefront of
addressing the situation, through the various
measures it could take.
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Presently, the Home Office of the UK government
has not permitted Glasgow to set up safe
consumption rooms. Some believe it may encourage
drug-taking and lead to criminal offences like
possession and distribution. Despite their
differences, both the UK and Scottish governments
believe solving the seemingly ever-growing
addiction problem, and the tragic loss of life it
creates, is of paramount importance.
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o-discuss-what-to-do-about-drug-deaths/