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heatherdewar

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@HDewarSport

Scotland’s SPORTS NEWS WRITER OF THE YEAR 2024 & 2022. Journalist of the Year 2022. Writer, broadcaster & podcaster.
Edinburgh mailplus.co.uk Joined April 2009
2.8K Following 6.2K Followers 11K Posts

Latest posts 5

heatherdewar Verified account @HDewarSport
Bang on from @Annemarieward.
Annemarie Ward 💜 Verified account @Annemarieward 3d
Thanks, Heather, and thank you for the kind words. You’re asking the question I wish ministers would answer. Who, in practice, is going to make the trip and hand over some of their drugs to be tested? If you’ve just got enough to get you through the next few hours, even a wee bit can feel like too much to give up. And as you say, some people are ashamed, some don’t think they have a problem, and some are just desperate for relief.
You’re right to ask who has enough on hand to spare a sample and whether the people who do come through the door are the people the pilot is meant to reach. And even if a test tells someone what’s in a sample, it can’t tell them it’s safe to take.

Harm reduction can save lives, and people deserve a real chance to recover. When someone finally says, “I can’t go on like this,” can we get them into detox or rehab if that’s what they need? I’d like to see ministers bring the same urgency to answering that.
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heatherdewar Verified account @HDewarSport
As with the drug consumption room in Glasgow, we appear to be on a course of enabling drug use, rather than taking firmer steps to eradicate it. Of course it’s better that drug addicts don’t cause more harm to themselves from a dodgy dose. But by giving them space to check out the “cleanliness” of their drugs, are we not just continuing the spiral?
Harm reduction measures can often be beneficial, but how many users are actually going to take up this service unless they have large quantities of drugs? If they do, are they not moving into “dealer”territory? There is a huge problem with drug abuse in Scotland - and rather than taking steps to clamp down on drugs and those who push them, we appear to be allowing it to continue, with a sticking-plaster approach. Those I know who have had problems with drugs in the past would likely NEVER use this service. Shame, guilt, lack of concern, a desire for a “quick-fix”, a feeling that they’re not actually “addicted”, would all mean a lack of incentive to make the trip to these facilities. As @Annemarieward has pointed out ( excellent campaigner on these matters), harm reduction should not become the ceiling of our expectations. STOP giving drug addicts reasons to continue.
Scottish Government @scotgov 4d
Scotland's first local drug-checking service has opened in Glasgow.

The service will allow people aged 18 or over who are dependent on illegal drugs to submit drug samples for checking.

It will also provide tailored harm-reduction advice based on the results.
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heatherdewar Verified account @HDewarSport
I really feel for our kids at the moment. So many of them are still struggling with the hangover of Covid restrictions and the impact it had on their lives. Then came the cost of living crisis, closures of facilities, a minimisation of many events, an inability to afford heating, parents being unable to afford many of the classes and “fun” things we did before as families. Many parents are telling me their children have been left with a huge sense of uncertainty about the world they’re now living in. And now, they’re facing evacuations over bomb threats - in a place they’re supposed to feel safe. It’s not good. It’s no wonder so many of our young folk are struggling with their mental health.
The Scottish Sun Verified account @ScottishSun 3d
Schools across Scotland EVACUATED as police called in over more ‘bomb threats’

thescottishsun.co.uk/news/17054766/…
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