The British government has no issue watching their people die, they would rather prop up the heavy pockets of the wealthy on the carcasses of the poor. Scotland’s state of deprivation is driving people to escape their realities through substance abuse, at a rate which has been increasing the past 20 years. The government would rather that they drug themselves to forget the misery and pain in their lives than actually involve itself in bettering the living conditions of the people. If you went to the funerals of everyone who died from drug misuse in 2022, you would be going to almost 3 a day all year. Parliament doesn’t care because they don’t sit through the eulogies, they don’t plan the services, they don’t have to mourn the loss of a human life. 

What is happening in this country is a public health matter. The third leading cause for ill health is substance abuse, and those from the most deprived areas spend over a third of their life in poor health. There is no access to consistent and high quality healthcare, due to the extreme underfunding of the NHS. Those most disadvantaged are hit hardest by this, as they can’t afford to turn to private healthcare if the waiting lists are too long or if their doctor doesn’t take them seriously. A GP once told me “if you’re not dying then we can’t do anything about it.” Why do we only try to stop things when it is too late? Treatment and recovery services need to be improved, so that people feel comfortable turning to this solution and that it actually works. More easily available access to Naloxone (a medicine which can undo the effects of an opioid overdose) could have saved countless lives this year. Along with all this, other harm reduction measures such as drug testing and the provision of safe drug taking facilities have been proven to be efficient methods of lowering risk for drug users. Peter Krykant’s overdose prevention van has been a massive success in Glasgow for providing addicts with respectful ways of dealing with their disease. Instead of people using dirty needles in back alleys, they are given the dignity, respect and safety they deserve. 

It is not simply drug misuse that causes people to prematurely lose their lives, it is the additional combination of living in poverty, going through the criminal system, and homelessness. Those from deprived areas are fifteen times more likely to fall victims of drug deaths. The majority of these people become the result of their circumstances, and are completely innocent in this cycle. But the government does not see victims, they see criminals. In 2021, there were 35,410 drug crimes recorded. How can there be change and reform if you lose people in a system designed to punish and silence? There is a focus on punishing those who are struggling, when families are living in cold and starvation. The cost of living crisis is pushing people to the edge, as they are left with no alternatives but to face homelessness or to pursue criminal activities. The drug crisis is not an isolated matter, but something that is intertwined with the limited provision of public resources, affordable housing, benefits, etc. One solution is through the decriminalisation of drugs for personal use, as there would be less stigma and punishment for addiction. Incarceration is not a solution, it just makes treatment more difficult. Going to prison for a crime like this can become the trigger for someone to spend the rest of their life in and out of these facilities, rather than seeking help in the first place. 

What is clear is that the issue is not Scotland, as they have suggested all these solutions along with other forms of legislation and reform . Drugs and Alcohol Policy Minister Elena Whitham has made her intentions clear that she believes that the situation should be approached as a public health matter rather than a criminal issue. Her plans for how she wishes to tackle the crisis appear to be heading in the right direction, but her efforts are halted by the limits of the Scottish Parliament’s power. There is only so much that can be done, as Westminster refuses to allow for any positive change to happen. How many deaths does England want to continue to be responsible for*? 

*COVID, Grenfell, deaths from literally any colonial endeavour, etc. etc. etc.