It is staggering that thousands of Scots could have their summer holiday plans ruined because of a passports fiasco. It doesn’t take a genius to work out that, after the privations of Covid lockdowns, most people would be desperate to get away.
Yet no provision appears to have been made to ensure everyone could get their passports in time this summer. Some have missed out on special moments they would have cherished forever.
Shaun Campbell and Fiona Cox had to cancel their wedding in Turkey because Shaun’s passport hadn’t arrived in time. He also missed out on a stag break in Brussels with his mates.
And it is not just a matter of receiving a passport in time. Those who have been sent documents at the last minute have already been caused considerable stress and anxiety by the uncertainty.
But it really should not have come to this. The demand for passports should have been foreseen and the authorities and contractors should have made sure people who applied in time did not miss out.
Unions have slammed job cuts for leaving staff under pressure and criticised out-of-date IT. It all adds to the kind of avoidable mess we’ve become used to in Tory Britain.
Turning the tide
The initiative to train inmates in Scottish prisons to administer anti-overdose treatment is to be commended. A third of our prison population has learned how to apply naloxone, which means they will be able to save lives.
Many have welcomed the training, which not only equips them to deal with any incidents inside but also means they can respond to overdoses after they have served their sentence.
Sean McFedries, head of operations at HMP Barlinnie, said recently that it was impossible to keep all drugs out of jails. His acknowledgement was a reality check to a “zero tolerance” approach which ultimately holds back progressive drug policies.
The prison initiative is now likely to be rolled out to other establishments where drugs and addiction are issues. This is also a positive step.
Scotland’s drug death crisis has seen too many lives lost and families torn apart. Training people to deal with overdoses will help save lives and reverse the tide of misery that has shamed Scotland for far too long.
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