An avoidable crisis

The politicisation of drug policy has contributed to the crisis of drug harms and nowhere is this more evident than in Scotland. There is considerable evidence that a more liberal, humanitarian and inclusive approach can change outcomes. Reports from Europe, Australia and N America draw attention to the benefits of heron assisted treatment, safer injecting facilities, and needle and syringe provision on health but also on local and community understanding of risks. The collection and interpretation of evidence must have the same level of investment and follow the same robust approaches applied in other areas of health care.