July 2019

Urgent action needed to stem drug tragedies

Disturbing figures this week indicate the number of drug-related deaths in Scotland as being proportionally amongst the worst in the developed world.

The total for 2018 is 1187, a sharp increase of 27-per-cent on the previous year.

I take no consolation from the fact Dumfries and Galloway is well down the league table of regions as sadly 20 people from our area lost their lives from drugs poisoning.

That was more than double the number from a decade ago and in every case was a personal tragedy for the victim, their family and friends.

The latest data also shows an increased number of women losing their lives although men are in the majority with 35 to 44-year-olds appearing to be most at risk.

I'm supporting the call by Scottish Conservatives at Holyrood for a cross-party summit to deal with the crisis.

They have proposals for a seven-point drug strategy, launched last winter, which is designed to half the number of drugs deaths within five years and also importantly increase the number of users accessing treatment by 60 per cent.

There are no easy answers but a joint approach could be the best way to save lives and prevent this already serious problem running further out of control.

 

Getting out and about

Next week we should know who the next Prime Minister will be and, like many, my hope is that we will then enter a period of greater stability and clarity as we move towards the crucial October Brexit deadline.

Westminster is also fast approaching the summer recess and I'm looking forward to the opportunity of getting out and about in the constituency more in the coming few weeks.

Meanwhile, any residents who have issues they wish me to look into can do so in the first instance by contacting my constituency office in Academy Street, Dumfries on 01387-216109 or by email to alister.jack.mp@parliament.uk