How do we tackle Scotland's addiction to drugs?
The number of injecting drug users in Scotland is continuing to increase, according to figures commissioned by the Scottish government.
Another report estimated that the value of the illicit drugs market in Scotland was £1.4bn, while the economic and social cost was estimated at £3.5bn.
Do we need to clampdown on the dealers? Or should we consider more radical solutions such as legalising drugs? Opinion was split on today's Morning Extra, but we heard some compelling real-life stories from families whose lives have been devastated by drugs.
© MMIX~RS~q~RS~~RS~z~RS~18~RS~)
Comments
Sign in or register to comment.
[As emailed in]
Morning,
Whilst there are much harder, more addictive drugs cannabis and its source is one that should be looked at again. Hemp was once used for the creation of ship sails, can be used as an effective bio-fuel and has been used as a polymer by Henry Ford for a car shell tougher than steel but much lighter. Hemp is also used as a form of sustainable paper. Copies of the Declaration of Independence were produced on hemp.
When considering the war on drugs we must look at the causes and uses. We must also consider how much is being spent to enforce laws for less addictive and more recreational drugs that pose no threat and, when actually legally taken in favour of harder drugs, reduces the issues faced. We must also not forget that the person who takes said drugs are responsible for their lives and are not the responsibility of the public at large. As pointed out by other contributors on your show, other countries have proved the exception to the rule... or the laws.
I might suggest readers look into hemp as well as looking at the following site:
http://www.tdpf.org.uk/
Steven J. Sexton
LPUK Scotland Party Secretary
Complain about this comment
In my haste to post the above I failed to include an article also worth the read.
http://mises.org/story/3736
Steven J. Sexton
LPUK Scotland Party Secretary
Complain about this comment
574 peoplke died ikn scotland in the last year from drug overdose.If we want to reduse the death tole the police must investighate all drug deaths as a CULPABLE HOMICIDE.The Crown Office say the police do investigate all drug overdose deaths but I believe no one was arrested concerning the supply of drug to any of the 574 people who died between 2008 and 2009.You wont ever get rid of drugs but if the police started enforcing the law and a few dealers were arrested for culpable homicide the the result would be dealers would make sure the drugs they sold didnt kill.At present as long as you use what can be termed an illegal drug to kill you can it seems get away with muder. I am a retired police officer During my career I served in the serious crime squad of Strathclyde Police and thwe Scottish Crtime Squad. its a national disgrace that politicians do nothing to make sure our laws are enforced correctly. I would urge people who have an interest in our young people' s health and safety to qyuestion police and politicians ask them how many people were arrested concerning the supply to any of those 574 who died. Idont think there will have been many arresxts if any
Complain about this comment
We've been hearing about the drugs problem for years. Yet nothing seems to be done about it other than tinkering at the edges.
That, I believe, is the way things will continue because there are far too many people doing extremely well out of the status quo.
Complain about this comment
Between 2008 and 2009 there were 574 deaths from drug overdose here in Scotland. The police treat these deaths as a sort of involuntary suicide and do not make any serious investigation into who supplied the drugs that killed.The police will say that they do investigate overdose deaths but I believe no one or only a few were charged with supply in respect of afore mentioned deaths. To reduce the death tole thes deaths need to be recorded and investigated as a culpable homicide By doing this dealers who know no one investigates the deaths will take more care in respect of the quality and strength of the drugs they sell. The result of stronger law enforcement will mean that dealers will take more care regarding strength and quality of the drugs they sell which will mean less of our young people dying. Culpable homicide is when someone commits an illegal act and the result of the illegal act results in death even although death was not intended or foreseenThe Crown Office has confirmed that if "A" sells "B" drugs illegally and "B" then "A" can be charged with culpable homicide if there is enough evidence to prove the crime> However because there is no serious police investigation there never is enough evidence. I would urge the police to publish the number of arresdts made in respect of the 574 deaths mentioned
Complain about this comment
Graham:
Do we need to clampdown on the dealers? [Yes]
Or should we consider more radical solutions such as legalising drugs? [Well, that sounds like a brilliant in theory; But, in reality it is only going to bring more trouble....]
~Dennis Junior~
Complain about this comment
View these comments in RSS