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SNP formally backs decriminalisation of drugs | SNP formally backs decriminalisation of drugs |
(about 13 hours later) | |
The SNP has backed decriminalising the possession and consumption of drugs. | The SNP has backed decriminalising the possession and consumption of drugs. |
At its conference in Aberdeen, a resolution was unanimously passed by delegates branding current drug control legislation "not fit for purpose". | At its conference in Aberdeen, a resolution was unanimously passed by delegates branding current drug control legislation "not fit for purpose". |
And they called for powers to be devolved to Holyrood to enable the "decriminalisation of possession and consumption of controlled drugs". | And they called for powers to be devolved to Holyrood to enable the "decriminalisation of possession and consumption of controlled drugs". |
The Scottish government has set up a taskforce to tackle drug deaths, which hit a record high in 2018. | The Scottish government has set up a taskforce to tackle drug deaths, which hit a record high in 2018. |
There were 1,187 drug-related deaths in Scotland in 2018, by far the highest death rate in the European Union and three times that of the UK as a whole. | |
Existing drugs legislation - covered by the Misuse of Drugs Act 1971 - is reserved to Westminster. | Existing drugs legislation - covered by the Misuse of Drugs Act 1971 - is reserved to Westminster. |
This has led to a standoff between the two governments over policy, with the Home Office refusing to give permission for a trial of "safe consumption rooms" for drugs in Glasgow. | This has led to a standoff between the two governments over policy, with the Home Office refusing to give permission for a trial of "safe consumption rooms" for drugs in Glasgow. |
The SNP has repeatedly called for drugs control to be devolved to Holyrood, and the party's official policy is now to use these powers - if they are ever handed to Holyrood - to decriminalise drugs. | The SNP has repeatedly called for drugs control to be devolved to Holyrood, and the party's official policy is now to use these powers - if they are ever handed to Holyrood - to decriminalise drugs. |
A motion unanimously passed by delegates said decriminalising "consumption and possession of controlled drugs" would mean "health services are not prevented from giving treatment to those that need it". | A motion unanimously passed by delegates said decriminalising "consumption and possession of controlled drugs" would mean "health services are not prevented from giving treatment to those that need it". |