Is Westminster stopping Scotland from tackling the drugs death crisis?

THE Scotland I was raised in was a proud and
resilient nation. We had a distinct identity
shaped by a strong sense of community,
empathy, and an unwavering commitment to
facing life’s challenges head-on.
Growing up, we were taught to embrace our
differences, value diversity, and share what we
had with those in need. Above all, we
understood the imperative of taking
responsibility, both individually and collectively.
That Scotland feels distant at times, particularly
when I reflect on the devastating issue of record
drug deaths. It’s a crisis that speaks to a failure
of leadership, policy, and imagination – a
problem crying out for bold action.
Yet Scotland’s Parliament too often finds itself
constrained, its ability to act hindered by
Westminster’s overreach and a political system
that lacks the tools or the balls to address our
nation’s challenges effectively.

As many will know, Scotland currently has the
highest drug death rate in Europe, a shocking
statistic that demands immediate attention.
Behind every number is a person – someone’s
child, parent, or sibling. Communities across the
country are being torn apart by addiction, and
the ripple effects are devastating.
Addressing this crisis should be a top priority
for any government but Holyrood’s efforts are
often undermined by a lack of autonomy. Drug
policy remains a reserved matter, controlled by
Westminster, which means Scotland is unable
to implement the innovative and compassionate
approaches it needs.
Calls for decriminalisation or a public health-led
approach to drug use have been repeatedly
dismissed by Westminster, leaving us stuck with
policies that are not fit for purpose. But are we
really hamstrung, or is that simply a convenient
political excuse?
A Legacy of Responsibility
THE Scotland I grew up in was a place where
people took action to fix what was broken.
People had a strong sense of what was right and
wrong.
They wouldn’t have waited for permission to
tackle a crisis; they would have rolled up their
sleeves and done what was needed, regardless
of outside opinions.
In the schemes of Glasgow, there was a belief
that by sticking together, we could deal with
whatever life threw at us. We didn’t look for
excuses or to deflect responsibility; we found
solutions. That same spirit is what Scotland
needs today.
Westminster’s Role in the Crisis
Westminster's control over drug policy is not
just an inconvenience, it is a barrier to saving
lives. The UK’s punitive approach to drug use is
out of step with Scotland’s public health
priorities, creating a disconnect that costs lives.
This lack of autonomy undermines the principle
of devolution. If Holyrood cannot address a
crisis as urgent and localised as this, what is the
point of having a Scottish Parliament at all?
The Case for Full Control
SCOTLAND’S Parliament must be empowered
to make decisions that reflect the needs and
values of the people it represents. On drug
policy, this means taking a public health-led
approach, free from Westminster’s interference.
Solutions exist. Other countries have shown
that decriminalisation, regulation, harm
reduction programmes and investment in
treatment can significantly reduce drug deaths.
Scotland has the expertise and the will to
implement these policies, but without full
control over drug policy, it is left with one hand
tied behind its back.
A Call to Action
THE Scotland I grew up in wouldn’t have
accepted this level of inaction. It wouldn’t have
waited for permission from Westminster or
hidden behind excuses. It would have faced the
problem directly, with courage and
determination.
Scotland’s drug death crisis is a test of our
nation’s resilience and resolve. Holyrood must
use the freedoms it does have to act boldly, to
take responsibility, and to implement the
solutions that will save lives. Westminster’s
control is not just an inconvenience, it is a
matter of life and death. But as we are showing
with the new safe consumption facility in
Glasgow, our prosecution system does enjoy
autonomy from political interference and if we
are willing to be brave we will find ways to take
positive action.
Our forebears understood the value of taking
responsibility. It’s time for Scotland’s Parliament
to do the same, free from interference.
Only then can we honour the values that define
us as a nation and build a future where no more
lives are needlessly lost. To stand by and do
nothing surely makes us culpable.
Simon McLean is a former Serious Crime and
Drugs Squad Officer.
He is now a spokesman for LEAP UK and LEAP
Scotland (Law Enforcement Action
Partnership).