Highlands and Islands Green Party members call for change in laws to help tackle increasing numbers of drug-related deaths
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Drugs laws should be reformed to help tackle the increasing numbers of drug-related deaths, according to members of the Highlands and Islands Green Party.
They made their comments in response to figures showing Scotland has the highest drug death rate recorded by any country in Europe.
In the Highlands, 33 people died after taking drugs last year – the lowest of all health board areas for which figures are available.
Green Party member Dr Alex Armitage said the law needed to be reformed plus more funding was needed for recovery services.
"Our drugs laws, which criminalise users, push some of the most vulnerable people away from vital support services," he said.
He also said the figures did not include deaths related to problematic alcohol use.
"In the Highlands, we are too relaxed about harmful drinking, with its physically and socially toxic effects often kept hidden or swept under the carpet," he added.
It is tragic the lives of people in Highland have ended prematurely
