Decriminalise?

Aug 22 2023 The BBC

Could decriminalisation solve Scotland's drug problem?

Scotland records largest fall in drug deaths but rate still 2.7 times UK average

Portugal has a population of more than 10 million, and had 74 drug deaths in 2021.

Scotland has a population of 5.5 million, and had 1,330 drug deaths in 2021. That is more than 100 a month, which is more than 3 a day, on average. (Statistics out today show 1,051 deaths in 2022.)

The difference? Portugal decriminalised personal drug use in 2001, and has concentrated on harm reduction. Scotland has not.

In addition to reducing drug deaths, the Portuguese approach has reduced cases of HIV, hepatitis B and C, and tuberculosis.

Decriminalisation does not solve all problems with drug use, or make drugs go away. Or get rid of the criminals who smuggle and sell them. But decriminalisation with treatment options, health interventions and support services, will reduce the harm drug use causes to users and to society. The policy is called harm reduction and that is what it does.

Decriminalisation is not a silver bullet, but it is a step in the right direction. Humans have used drugs, and will use drugs, it is high time to accept that. We regulate, and tax, tobacco and alcohol use, and cars for that matter, we try to reduce the harm they cause. Why not use that model as a basis for laws on drugs?

We cannot solve this overnight, but we should accept the facts and at least start moving in the right direction. It is far better to take some small steps in the right direction, than to stay put, or run fast to the wrong one.