Like most people I was extremely disappointed in the latest drug deaths statistics.

With 1,187 unnecessary deaths in 2018, Scotland is now the worst country in the western world for the proportion of drug fatalities and we do not have the political powers to properly address our problem.

Twenty years ago Portugal was in Scotland’s position, being described as the “sick man of Europe” with an epidemic of drug deaths. Their government introduced a package of measures, including intensive addict support, decriminalisation of drug use and the reclassification of drug misuse as a health issue, not a criminal one.

Since then, not only has Portugal turned around its drug death statistics it now has among the lowest drug fatalities in Europe and they have reduced drug-related crime hugely, resulting in a reduced prison population.

Just recently, the UK Government denied a request from Glasgow City Council to open a drug consumption facility, a support facility which has proven successful elsewhere in Europe.

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The vast majority of the drug-related deaths are accidental overdoses. Using in a safe facility with medically trained staff could save many lives.

Earlier this month the Scottish Government’s public health minister, Joe FitzPatrick, gave evidence to Westminster’s Scottish Affairs Committee about the drug death crisis in Scotland and pleaded with the UK Government to act to resolve the problem or devolve the necessary powers to the Scottish Parliament.

The difference between Scotland and Portugal is the Portuguese had the political power to turn the situation around 20 years ago - we do not.

On the same subject but on a brighter note, I have been contacted by Donnie McGillvery of Alternatives West Dunbartonshire Community Drugs Service who do great work in addiction recovery in Clydebank and I hope to visit their operation soon.

In 2014 Alternatives opened the Safe As Houses supported accommodation recovery programme which brought together existing community-based programmes and underpinned them by adding safe accommodation and round-the-clock help.

Users can stay in the safe accommodation for up to 18 months. So far the testaments of success are impressive and I wish them well.