Misuse of Drugs Act and Health Outcomes 2021-09-08
2021-09-08
TAGS
Response quality
Questions & Answers
Q1
Partial Answer
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Context
Recent drug deaths in Scotland have raised concerns about the effectiveness of current legislation.
What recent assessment has his Department made of the effect of the Misuse of Drugs Act 1971 on health outcomes in Scotland?
The recent drug deaths in Scotland are an absolute tragedy. The majority of the levers to tackle drug misuse are devolved to the Scottish Government, including health, education, housing and the criminal justice system. We are keen to work with the Scottish Government to tackle this tragic issue and to share lessons throughout the United Kingdom.
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Assessment & feedback
Did not provide a specific assessment of the Misuse of Drugs Act's impact on health outcomes in Scotland.
The Majority Of Levers Are Devolved
Keen To Work With Scottish Government
Response accuracy
Q2
Partial Answer
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Context
Drug consumption rooms in other countries have been shown to save lives and reduce health risks.
Why does the Minister and the Government refuse to base their policy on evidence such as that from Portugal, Canada and Switzerland, where drug consumption rooms save lives?
There is not a unanimous view on the efficacy of drug consumption rooms. The Minister for Crime and Policing recently had discussions with his counterpart in the Scottish Government and it was made clear that we are open to any new evidence about drug consumption rooms, but they are not the single solution to the problem.
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Assessment & feedback
Did not confirm or deny use of international evidence for policy decisions.
Not Unanimous View
Open To New Evidence
Response accuracy
Q3
Partial Answer
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Context
Portugal's approach has been successful in reducing drug-related deaths.
There is plenty of evidence on the efficacy of drug consumption rooms. Will his Government use their reserved powers to amend the Misuse of Drugs Act and enable measures like drug consumption rooms that worked in Portugal?
I have discussed the specific matter of drug consumption rooms at some length with the hon. and learned Lady's colleague, the hon. Member for Glasgow Central (Alison Thewliss), so I am well aware of the arguments for them, but there are arguments against them.
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Assessment & feedback
Did not commit to using reserved powers for drug consumption rooms.
Aware Of Arguments
Arguments Against
Response accuracy
Q4
Partial Answer
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Context
Scottish Conservatives proposed a right to recovery Bill for Scotland.
Does the Minister agree that the Scottish Government should engage with us to bring forward these proposals?
I absolutely agree. My hon. Friend and his colleagues have come up with an excellent policy in this area, and it would be to the great advantage of people in Scotland that the Scottish Government take up the proposals that it contains.
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Assessment & feedback
Did not commit to engaging on Right to Recovery Bill.
Agrees With Policy
No Commitment
Response accuracy
Q5
Partial Answer
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Context
The committee recommended evidence-based solutions, including drug consumption rooms.
Why did the UK Government reject nearly all of our conclusions and recommendations?
The report from that Committee was not a unanimous one, and there is not unanimity of view on the proposals. We keep an open mind on this as regards fresh evidence that shows that policies work.
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Assessment & feedback
Did not explain reasons for rejecting recommendations.
Not Unanimous Report
Open To New Evidence
Response accuracy
Q6
Partial Answer
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Context
Mayor of West Midlands has initiatives on drug misuse.
To what degree does the Scottish Office liaise with the regions of England to communicate with Scotland about best practice?
I discuss matters throughout the United Kingdom and share good, innovative practices in a particular area to encourage other parts of the UK to follow suit.
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Assessment & feedback
Did not detail specific collaboration with English regions.
Share Best Practices
No Specifics
Response accuracy
Q7
Partial Answer
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Context
Drug use legislation can trap people in a cycle of poverty and crime.
Will this Government finally commit to reviewing the 50-year-old legislation that is the Misuse of Drugs Act 1971?
We constantly discuss these matters with our counterparts in Scotland and have made serious offers, as I say, to extend Project ADDER, which looks at drugs misuse in a holistic way. There is evidence to show that this works.
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Assessment & feedback
Did not commit to reviewing the Misuse of Drugs Act.
Discuss Matters With Scotland
Extend Project Adder
Response accuracy
Q8
Partial Answer
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Context
The question arises from the debate on the financial burden of drug-related crimes. Experts have indicated that addressing health issues related to drugs could be more cost-effective than current law enforcement methods.
In what world do you get to claim to be taking an issue seriously while in the same breath commit to change absolutely nothing? If the logical arguments will not convince, then maybe the financial ones will. Crimes linked to drugs in Scotland cost £750 million a year to investigate and prosecute. Experts tell us that that money could be better spent. If the experts, the Scottish Government and even the Scottish Conservatives can now agree that health needs to be the main approach, why not the Minister?
We have put forward some very concrete suggestions. I remind her that the vast majority of powers in this area lie with the Scottish Government, and her Government have been in power for 14 years, so perhaps they should spend a little bit more effort focusing on tackling some of these social issues rather than obsessing about independence, which no one wants.
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Assessment & feedback
The financial and expert advice regarding the health-focused approach to drug-related crimes was not addressed.
I Remind Her That The Vast Majority Of Powers In This Area Lie With The Scottish Government
Her Government Have Been In Power For 14 Years
Response accuracy