- Call for decriminalisation for personal supply
Decriminalisation of all drugs for personal supply is one of a
number of polices which the Scottish Government is calling on the
UK Government to implement in a new paper on drug law reform.
The move would allow people found in possession of drugs to be
treated and supported rather than criminalised and excluded.
Decriminalisation would also mean that without a criminal record,
people in recovery would have a better chance of employment.
The document has been published by the Scottish Government
outlining measures which could be implemented through further
devolution, independence, or changes enacted immediately by the
UK Government to support the work being done within existing
powers to reduce drug deaths.
Among the proposals are:
- Decriminalisation of all drugs for personal supply progressed
as part of a wider review of drug laws
- Immediate legislative changes to allow us to fully and
properly implement harm reduction measures such as supervised
drug consumption facilities (rather than the current proposal
being explored which is constrained by having to work within
existing legislation), drug checking and increased access to the
life saving drug naloxone.
- a roadmap for further exploration of drug law reform, focused
on evidence and the reduction of harm, including an update of the
drug classification system to be based on harms caused
The proposals follow recommendations made by the Drug Deaths
Taskforce in September 2021.
Minister for Drugs Policy said:
“These are ambitious and radical proposals, grounded in evidence,
that will help save lives.
“We want to create a society where problematic drug use is
treated as a health, not a criminal matter, reducing stigma and
discrimination and enabling the person to recover and contribute
positively to society. While we know these proposals will spark
debate, they are in line with our public health approach and
would further our national mission to improve and save lives.
“We are working hard within the powers we have to reduce drug
deaths, and while there is more we need to do, our approach is
simply at odds with the Westminster legislation we must operate
within.
“These policies could be implemented by the Scottish Government
through the devolution of further, specific powers to Holyrood
including the Misuse of Drugs Act 1971 - or through independence.
An immediate way for these policies to be enacted would be for
the UK Government to use its existing powers to change its drug
laws.
“Scotland needs a caring, compassionate and human rights informed
drugs policy, with public health and the reduction of harm as its
underlying principles, and we are ready to work with the UK
Government to put into practice this progressive policy.”
BACKGROUND
A Caring, Compassionate and Human Rights Informed Drug Policy for
Scotland is available here - https://www.gov.scot/isbn/9781835210093
Drug Law Reform - Drug
Deaths Taskforce (knowthescore.info)
