The Scottish government has called on the UK government to decriminalise the possession of drugs for personal use.
Drugs policy minister Elena Whitham said on Friday that her government’s new proposals are “ambitious and radical” and “will help save lives” in Scotland, which has by far the highest drug death rate recorded by any country in Europe.
A policy paper produced by the Scottish National Party (SNP) said people found in possession of drugs should be treated and supported rather than criminalised and excluded.
It said decriminalisation would free “individuals from the fear of accessing treatment and support, reducing drug-related harms and, ultimately, improving lives.”…