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MINISTERIAL FOREWORD
The Scottish Executive is committed to reducing the number of people dying needlessly each year from illegal substances. Preventing these deaths should be everyone's priority. Every person who dies is somebody's son or daughter, nephew or niece, friend or acquaintance. We cannot lose sight of the fact that people with substance misuse problems are human beings and deserve help.
Preventing these deaths is not an easy task. It will require the assistance of many people working in all the fields of substance misuse - from Drug and Alcohol Action Teams to general practitioners, statutory authorities, addiction services, homelessness networks, prison workers, police, emergency services and many more.
I want effective action to reduce the trend in drug-related deaths. That is why, in 2003, I commissioned the most detailed and comprehensive investigation into drug-related deaths ever undertaken in Scotland. This action plan is the culmination of the hard work and perseverance of the team who carried out the National Investigation, and is also a response to the subsequent recommendations of the Scottish Advisory Committee on Drug Misuse ( SACDM) Drug-related Deaths Working Group.
The SACDM Working Group made a series of recommendations about reinforcing good practice, better information, better engagement, rapid intervention, improved treatment and better integration. This action plan addresses all of these areas and provides the basis for a wide-ranging and effective programme to achieve a reduction in the number of drug-related deaths.
We cannot do it alone. Preventing these deaths requires everyone to work together to achieve this common aim. It is our responsibility to do whatever we can to prevent lives being lost and opportunities wasted. It is the responsibility of us all to work towards a safer, stronger Scotland.
I commend this action plan to you.
Hugh Henry MSP
Deputy Minister for Justice
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