FOLLOW THE EVIDENCE

THE National Mission to reduce drug deaths was a headline announcement of £250million to reassure us that Nicola Sturgeon had taken control, with her "dedicated" drugs minister by her side.

- PROFESSOR CATRIONA MATHESON

Unfortunately it was more about controlling the narrative than addressing drug deaths. The £250million appeared overnight.

As one Scottish Government official said when interviewed: "So, in Drugs Policy we set out a National Mission on drugs. But we didn't write down 'these are the principles of the mission, this is what you must do'.

"The mission was just a bunch of funding that helps, £250million that buys you some relationships." So what was the National Mission other than a lot of money to 'buy' relationships? Well the Scottish Government took the work of the Drug Death Taskforce (DDT), now cast aside by the "dedicated" minister.

This evidence-based plan encompassed treatment standards, distribution of naloxone (which reverses an overdose), non-fatal overdose pathways, a surveillance system and addressing stigma that prevents engagement with treatment.

The Scottish Government added in residential rehabilitation (RR) and money for grass roots organisations.

Almost five years on where has it all got us and did it help reduce drug deaths? We have a charter of rights for people affected by drug use. This was needed but not going to reduce drug deaths any time soon. We have the best naloxone programme in the world - excellent - our deaths would be even higher without it.