Draft heroin prescription and drug decriminalisation motion for Scottish Spring conference

This is a pragmatic compromise motion for Scottish conference drafted in the presumption that Scotland would not wish to go it alone without England in controlling and regulating drugs. This motion will require the backing of 25 reps and/or a local party in order for it to be considered at conference. Please get in touch if you wish this to happen.


Conference notes:

Problem drug users commit over half of all acquisitive crimes and account for around 95% of street prostitution in the UK.

A comprehensive survey by the WHO has demonstrated that there is no association between more stringent prohibition and lower levels of drug use.

The opium trade accounts for up to 50% of the Taliban's income.
2008 saw the highest ever recorded number of drug-related deaths in Scotland. A figure that has increased in each of the last three years and that has been trending upwards since the late nineties when death rates were less than half what they are now.

Decriminalisation of possession of drugs for personal consumption in Portugal has been associated with reduction in prevalence rates of consumption in teenagers, plummeting rates of HIV infection in injecting drug users, and reduction in opiate-related deaths by more than half. The success of the policy has resulted in there being very little political desire for a return to criminalisation of drug users.

Heroin prescription policies have been successful in many European countries in reducing crime, reducing spread of HIV and deaths from drugs, and in allowing addicts to hold down jobs. Countries like Denmark have now adopted heroin prescription policies without first carrying out trials as the supporting evidence from other countries has been judged to be sufficient.

Scottish Government commissioned research estimates the economic and social cost of drug use in Scotland at £3.5 billion each year, with each problem drug user costing over £60,000 per year.


Conference believes:

We have a moral duty to ensure that drug addicts do not needlessly harm themselves or others by funding their drug use through prostitution, acquisitive crime or drug dealing.

Drug users who wish to seek medical help should not fear arrest or removal of their children as a result of seeking help.

Drug use should be regarded as a medical and not a criminal justice problem.

Prescription of heroin to problem drug users could greatly reduce revenue for organised criminal gangs in Scotland and abroad and reduce the chances of vulnerable young people being drawn into heroin use by addicts dealing to fund a habit.


Conference calls for:

Heroin prescription schemes to be adopted wherever needed to tackle the associated acquisitive crime, prostitution and drug dealing that is blighting our communities.

Something similar to the Portuguese model of decriminalisation of drugs possession for personal use to be adopted as a means of minimising the harms drug use is causing in our society, and allowing people to access help without fear of prosecution or stigma.