Action in partnership : tackling drugs in Scotland ; Scotland's objectives & action priorities / the Scottish Office.

  • Great Britain. Scottish Office.
Date:
1999
Catalogue details

Licence: Open Government Licence

Credit: Action in partnership : tackling drugs in Scotland ; Scotland's objectives & action priorities / the Scottish Office. Source: Wellcome Collection.

    6/16 (page 4)
    Tackling Drugs in Scotland broad support;and the steps taken since.1997 to understand and tackle Scotland's drug problems more effectively. The Government's vision is of a Scotland whose people choose healthy lifestyles free from the harm of drug, misuse. The strategy is underpinned by four key principles: Inclusion Drug misuse occurs throughout society, but flourishes where individuals and communities feel marginalised from society and life choices are limited as a result of disadvantage. Deprivation is not the sole cause of drug misuse, but it is an important contributor. Tackling Scotland's drug problem has to be integrated with tackling social exclusion. Partnership Co-ordinated and collective work on drug misuse achieves far more than independent and fragmented activity. The strategy recognises the benefits of partnership and encourages involvement at every level of implementation through suitable mechanisms and unifying action. Understanding Scotland needs to base its anti-drugs work on well targeted and accurate research and information, which drives policies and programmes. Accountability The strategy is clear about what results are required, and who should be charged with achieving them through a process of evaluation. The accountability structures are not ends but means to make a strong impact on Scotland's drugs problem. Implementation will require patience and resolve. The goals are long term, like those set out for the UK in Tackling Drugs to Build a Better Britain. Drugs do not respect national boundaries any more-than postcodes, so work in Scotland has to mesh with the other countries of the. UK, and international efforts. Where are we now? Drug misuse in Scotland is a complex and growing problem, involving both legal and illegal drugs. Drug misuse affects individuals, families, communities and every corner of society. The involvement of children and young people, the recent rise in the availability and misuse of heroin, the spread of hepatitis C, the untimely death of people using drugs and the associations with crime are of particular concern in Scotland. There are, of course, inextricable links between drug misuse, smoking and alcohol misuse, which is recognised in Government action in these areas. The strategy focuses primarily on the misuse of illicit drugs. What's been done? The Drugs Task Force report of 1994 provides an important part of the framework for tackling drug misuse in Scotland, advocating a multi-agency and multi-disciplinary approach to the problem with co-ordinated action at both national and local level. The recommendations in the report have been substantially implemented, including the establishment of Drug Action Teams (DATs) to act as focal points for local action. Action on implementation continues.