Decriminalisation calls return after minor drug deaths rise in Perth and Kinross

dailyrecord.co.uk:

Local calls have returned urging the decriminalisation of personal drug use after the number of drug-related deaths in Perth and Kinross increased – despite a nationwide decrease.New National Records of Scotland figures show 21 people died from drug misuse in the region in 2022 – an increase by one from the year before.The figure is lower than the number of deaths in 2020 (34), 2019 (25) and 2018 (30), highlighting a recent decline.However, the 21 deaths in 2022 – 16 of which were men and five women – are a higher rate than any year between 2010 and 2017.Of the deaths last year, 15 have been attributed to ‘accidental poisoning’, with six to ‘intentional self-poisoning’.The most common drug found in the system was opiates or opioids, with benzodiazepine the next most prominent.The age group between 35 and 44 years old saw the highest number of deaths from 2018-2022.Liberal Democrats leader at Perth and Kinross Council and Perth City Centre ward councillor Peter Barrett says his party is calling for a number of measures to be brought in to reduce drug-related deaths.They include establishing heroin-assisted treatment and safe consumption spaces, and decriminalisation.“The latest drug-related death statistics remain a national disgrace and continue to demonstrate the failure of the Scottish Government to deal with mortality rates which are still more than three times higher than in England,” he said.“We need urgent action on safe consumption spaces, specialist drugs commissions and the decriminalisation of drug misuse so that people receive treatment instead of imprisonment.”Kenny Ogilvy, chair of Perth and Kinross Alcohol and Drugs Partnership, said: “Every drug-related death is a tragedy and we recognise how devastating