The pace of progress is slow but yesterday there was some encouragement for those unwilling to accept Scotland’s alarming drug death rate as inevitable.
At a packed meeting in , health minister fielded questions and listened to many who have experienced the ravages drugs can inflict.
He generously praised the for its “instrumental” role in driving the debate forward and we were delighted politicians backed our call to recognise the issue as a national emergency.
But while we are pleased to play our part and will continue to , we must also acknowledge that, as a country, we are still taking small steps at the beginning of a long journey.
The £20million pledged to drug support services over two years is welcome but it must not be the end of the funding.
Not when drugs claim the lives of more than three people every day in Scotland, causing untold heartache to families across the country.
FitzPatrick was put on the spot by activists demanding that those with lived experiences of drugs are given a greater say on tackling the problem. We have no hesitation in supporting this call.
There are positive signs the Scottish Government is listening to what is being said. But as ever – action speaks louder than words.
