John Swinney has been urged to ditch his “dangerously stupid” support for decriminalising drugs including synthetic opioids.
Scottish Conservative leader Russell Findlay has written to Swinney saying that even more Scots would be killed if the law was changed.
The SNP pledged drug decriminalisation in their 2024 General Election manifesto and Swinney confirmed that it’s still SNP policy after First Minister’s Questions this week.
Findlay says he was astonished given that Swinney had just admitted the dangers of synthetic opioids which are killing people across Scotland.
He also attacked the SNP drugs minister for “pathetically” blaming Westminster for Scotland’s record drug death toll.
He added that Swinney's constitutional fights with successive UK governments over drugs marks a “despicable low” and said his focus should instead be on improving rehab services.
Scottish Conservative leader Russell Findlay said: "Having presided over Europe's worst drug deaths for eight years running, John Swinney thinks it’s a good idea to decriminalise all Class A drugs like heroin and crack cocaine.
“This SNP policy is irresponsible and dangerous. But they would also decriminalise these highly potent and inherently dangerous synthetic opioids which is dangerously stupid.
“Grieving families who have lost a loved one through drugs will be astonished at the SNP’s weak and misguided approach. They are putting all their focus on so-called ‘harm reduction’ which often means encouraging drug-taking and trapping people in the misery of addiction.
“We want addicts to get help which is why we brought forward our Right to Recovery Bill, which the SNP rejected.
“John Swinney accepts the deadly dangers of synthetic opioids so on what planet does he think it’s a good idea to decriminalise them?
“This would result in even more deaths and would also be boom time for the drug dealers. The SNP’s position also sends a very dangerous message to young people. They need to know that these drugs cannot be taken safely.
“I have written to Mr Swinney to urge him to ditch this idiotic policy now.
“Listening to his drugs minister Maree Todd pathetically pick a constitutional fight over drugs deaths marks a despicable low for the SNP. Trying to shift the blame for their fatal culpability over Scottish drug deaths is obscene and offensive.”
Notes to editors:
Russell Findlay’s question to John Swinney in May 2024 can be found here: Meeting of the Parliament: 30/05/2024 | Scottish Parliament Website
The decriminalisation of drugs was a key SNP manifesto pledge in the 2024 General Election: SNP manifesto: 11 key policies analysed - BBC News
