Nicola Sturgeon's government has been slammed by opposition parties for earmarking £20 million to be spent on an independence referendum.
19.05.2022 - 10:53 / dailyrecord.co.uk
A Tory minister has rejected calls for drug consumption rooms in Scotland despite "compelling evidence" they help save lives.
Policing Minister Kit Malthouse said both the Scottish and UK Governments need to work together on a strategy to combat the number of drugs deaths across the country.
The SNP government has been calling for the introduction of drug consumption rooms in a bid to prevent deaths, however calls over been rejected on a number of occasions by the Tory government.
Scotland has recorded the worst drugs death figures in Europe for a number of years which led to criticism of Nicola Sturgeon's approach.
Angela Constance was appointed as the Minister for Drugs Policy in 2020 in a bid to reduce the number of deaths across the country.
The SNP MSP has repeatedly called for drugs consumption rooms to be introduced in Scotland following a number of success schemes across the world.
Malthouse was asked on the BBC Good Morning Scotland about the introduction of safe spaces to consume.
He said: "We've obviously been in discussion about this, and I've remained open minded but I have to say the evidence that's been put forward thus far, is not that compelling.
"You've got to remember that it's a very complicated area legally, the operation of a room like that would require a number of offences to occur, not least the possession of drugs, obviously, and the administering and supply of them.
"There's some difficult questions there that need to be addressed.
"I've said this before, to some criticism in the media, that to me it's a distraction.
"The big game, the most important game, is the health and rehabilitation game - particularly for heroin and crack users.
"The more we can work together as a UK and Scottish Government
Nicola Sturgeon's government has been slammed by opposition parties for earmarking £20 million to be spent on an independence referendum.
Scotland now has four confirmed cases of Monkeypox, authorities have confirmed.
Kate Forbes has acknowledged Scotland faces a "very difficult financial position" ahead of her resource spending review later today.
Addicts could be given the legal right to access rehab under controversial new laws being considered by the Scottish Parliament.
Nicola Sturgeon is under pressure to fund universal free school meals for secondary school pupils to combat “horrifying” food price increases feared to be leaving children hungry.
Scotland's drugs minister has been accused of moving the goalposts “in the face of failure” in delivering drug policy reforms.
A Perthshire-based Conservative MSP has stood by her belief Boris Johnson should resign over Partygate.
An Ecclefechan drug dealer who was part of a county lines cocaine gang that made £1.8million has been ordered to repay £8,500 at a Proceeds of Crime hearing.
Scotland's drugs minister has pledged to treat each overdose death with the same priority as the death of a child.
K.J. Yossman “The Repair Shop’s” Jay Blades has struck a first look deal with BBC Studios via his production company Hungry Jay Media.Hungry Jay is a joint venture between Blades and production company Hunrgy Bear (“Michael McIntyre’s The Wheel”), which was founded in November 2020 by Dan Baldwin and Juliet Denison Gay.The 1-year deal will mean BBC Studios has first dibs on Hungry Jay’s factual entertainment slate.
Labour have insisted that they did not abstain from voting in order to allow the Conservatives to take control of South Ayrshire Council.
First Minister Nicola Sturgeon has tested positive for Covid.
The Scottish farmed salmon industry has warned Boris Johnson to “step back” from a trade war with Europe over the Northern Ireland protocol.
A millionaire Tory MSP has been accused of "hypocrisy" over his opposition to onshore windfarm developments.
Labour council groups will have the “flexibility” to strike deals with other parties - despite a coalition ban trumpeted during the election campaign.
A 73-year-old was shocked to discover her energy bills had soared by as much as £4,480 a month amid the cost of living crisis. Mum-of-three Phyllis Kennedy was used to paying just £120 per month for her bills before it skyrocketed to a whopping £4,600.
A Tory Minister has been mocked for claiming that poor people struggling with the cost of living crisis should get a better job.
A friendly outing. Scott Disick is not dating Bachelor alum Corinne Olympios, despite being photographed at a party with her earlier this month.
Ashley Banjo was left reeling after he was attacked online for Diversity’s Black Lives Matter routine on Britain’s Got Talent.