tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1638916042737526171.post2706437646265975419..comments2024-03-28T07:16:39.621+00:00Comments on Lallands Peat Worrier: Scots drugs deaths increase by 563% & 623%, but for who?Lallands Peat Worrierhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18276270498204697708noreply@blogger.comBlogger16125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1638916042737526171.post-15653170891726238032012-08-26T15:15:26.311+01:002012-08-26T15:15:26.311+01:00I note that cannabis is responsible for 0% of deat...I note that cannabis is responsible for 0% of deaths in any age group, yet it is criminalised while alcohol, for all the deaths it causes, is not. Madness.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1638916042737526171.post-18845996905378393432012-08-24T11:08:43.285+01:002012-08-24T11:08:43.285+01:00I meant Independence, Graham, and agree with every...I meant Independence, Graham, and agree with everything you say.<br />In a system where alcohol is legal, it's hypocritical to criminalise other 'party' drugs.<br />Jutemanhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11061671774494923407noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1638916042737526171.post-79624077371200577062012-08-24T10:09:09.866+01:002012-08-24T10:09:09.866+01:00Juteman, independence reaches parts of me that dev...Juteman, independence reaches parts of me that devolution does not. <br /><br />I’m arguing that tackling drug abuse in Scotland would be easier if Scotland controlled its own:<br /><br />Health<br />Misuse of drugs<br />Financial and economic matters<br />Employment<br />Social security<br /><br />With those powers, the political will and the right policies, a significant reduction in Heroin, Methadone, Diazepam, Temazepam and alcohol-related abuse and deaths is achievable. We may also be able to make a dent in the number of cocaine, amphetamine and ecstasy-related deaths although I find it conceivable that there use could remain static or even increase. <br /><br />Not all drug abuse is economically driven. Across the world some people will get high while living normal lives. We shouldn’t fret about that or criminalise them for doing so. <br /><br />Off topic. I’m angry and embarrassed by the inhumane and vindictive treatment of Stephen Gough by Scottish police and the criminal justice system. This madness has been going on for ten years and has cost a lot of money.Grahamnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1638916042737526171.post-14452657630203739872012-08-24T07:30:02.569+01:002012-08-24T07:30:02.569+01:00It's economic powers that need to be devolved,...It's economic powers that need to be devolved, not drugs mis-use. Give folk hope, and drug mis-use will drop.<br />Vote YES in 2014.Jutemanhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11061671774494923407noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1638916042737526171.post-3976051842028024182012-08-24T00:16:15.668+01:002012-08-24T00:16:15.668+01:00Health is devolved but misuse of drugs is reserved...Health is devolved but misuse of drugs is reserved. Constitution aside, in light of the overlap between the two, drug deaths in Scotland would be easier to address if both were devolved. Grahamnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1638916042737526171.post-30126146769165989652012-08-23T23:41:57.735+01:002012-08-23T23:41:57.735+01:00It seems that the answer to the problem is for Sco...It seems that the answer to the problem is for Scotland to leave the UK.Groundskeeper Willienoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1638916042737526171.post-85972542860718486452012-08-23T23:38:37.421+01:002012-08-23T23:38:37.421+01:00The report states that the vast majority of these ...The report states that the vast majority of these deaths result from accidental poisoning (overdose). If prevention of drug-related deaths is the objective then eliminating the accidental has to be key because it would more than half the number of drug-related deaths. The effects of long-term drug abuse would then be the major cause of drug-related deaths. <br /><br />I would like to know why Scotland’s per capita consumption of cocaine is the highest in the world, and why it leads the UK in the consumption of the other main illegal drugs. Alongside tobacco and alcohol, I would say that such obvious risk-taking is otherwise nationally uncharacteristic. <br /><br />Progressive beaconism precludes criminalising addicts.Grahamnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1638916042737526171.post-80366725010928201192012-08-23T18:49:38.376+01:002012-08-23T18:49:38.376+01:00I agree that my post was profoundly sad.
Unfortuns...I agree that my post was profoundly sad.<br />Unfortunstely, i 'm already seeing Trainspotting pt. 2 happening.<br />Take my home city of Dundee. It is a high tech city, with lots of opportunities for university graduates in the sciences. Mostly for folk from outwith the city.<br />For locals, without a degree, it's a choice between call centres or supermarkets.<br />There is nothing for the majority of 'blue collar' workers in the middle.<br />The only folk making money in Dundee without s degree are drug deslers.<br />Vote YES in 2014<br />Juteman.Jutemanhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11061671774494923407noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1638916042737526171.post-91845675253227039912012-08-23T12:48:13.309+01:002012-08-23T12:48:13.309+01:00Groundskeeper Willie,
I've read various estim...<b>Groundskeeper Willie,</b><br /><br />I've read various estimations, both for the <a href="http://www.guardian.co.uk/society/2009/apr/07/drugs-policy-legalisation-report" rel="nofollow">policing and justice cost,</a> and for the trade in drugs themselves. Combined, we're likely talking about billions. In 2002, Joseph Rowntree suggested that policing cannabis in England and Wales alone cost <a href="http://www.guardian.co.uk/society/2009/apr/07/drugs-policy-legalisation-report" rel="nofollow">"at least £50 million a year".</a>Lallands Peat Worrierhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07238432265194046726noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1638916042737526171.post-79100014684470166552012-08-23T12:42:32.165+01:002012-08-23T12:42:32.165+01:00Juteman, Clarinda,
Two rather different perspecti...<b>Juteman, Clarinda,</b><br /><br />Two rather different perspectives: I appreciate them both. Interesting (and in Juteman's case, profoundly sad).Lallands Peat Worrierhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07238432265194046726noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1638916042737526171.post-35404680915756743952012-08-22T19:27:50.056+01:002012-08-22T19:27:50.056+01:00I can only give a personal viewpoint.
Back in the ...I can only give a personal viewpoint.<br />Back in the late '70's, early '80's, there was no work for many Scots young men. An alternative culture gave young men something to do with their lives. The drug lifestyle meant that many young men could have a sense of purpose to their lives. Silly, i know.<br />Most of the guys i knew then are all dead, or on the way. London was the lure for most of them. The comfort blanket of heroin destroyed many of my friends.<br />When there is no hope, blanking out the present is often the best choice.<br />Vote YES in 2014.<br /><br />Juteman.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1638916042737526171.post-57274669560487368372012-08-22T12:09:16.060+01:002012-08-22T12:09:16.060+01:00I make the same point with murder as for drug rela...I make the same point with murder as for drug related deaths - in that with medical advance in the ever improving ability to resuscitate both, this may mask or certainly affect the true nature of incidence - real or potential. It would be interesting to know the number of drug overdose survivors to obtain a more complete picture of drug usage and it's 'population' of users. Death rates alone will not necessarily give the actual picture.<br />I recall a pathologist telling me that many of his post mortem results indicated a fatal overdose often resulted from newly released prisoners returning to their previous level of drug intake having ignored their lowered drug adaption while in prison(?) and in effect taking an overwhelming amount when reverting to habit. The consequential and co-existing morbidity of long-term drug users must also play a significant role in their premature deaths and may frequently be the precipitating factor.Clarindahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08189996558442989039noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1638916042737526171.post-10193757033002519562012-08-22T11:16:45.853+01:002012-08-22T11:16:45.853+01:00How many people are employed, directly or indirect...How many people are employed, directly or indirectly in the whole illegal drugs industry, ie those on the supply side (criminals) and those on the prevention/law enforcement/ treatment side?<br /><br />How much is the industry worth?<br /><br />Does anyone know?Groundskeeper Willienoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1638916042737526171.post-45124793046187308582012-08-22T10:47:17.647+01:002012-08-22T10:47:17.647+01:00Anonymous, Indy,
Interestingly, that was precisel...<b>Anonymous, Indy,</b><br /><br />Interestingly, that was precisely what one of my hard scientist friends suggested when we were chatting about this over lunch yesterday. Unfortunately, it's impossible to tell if it's true on the basis of these figures - we'd need a longitudinal study of drugs-users to be sure. Lallands Peat Worrierhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07238432265194046726noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1638916042737526171.post-57291536900440117202012-08-21T22:47:25.965+01:002012-08-21T22:47:25.965+01:00Yes I was going to make a similar point. The 35-44...Yes I was going to make a similar point. The 35-44 year olds are the 25-34 year olds who dodged the bullet. Then it caught up with them.<br /><br />I don't think there are actually that many people who die because of dipping their toe now and then. I think it is habitual users and if you are a habitual user sooner or later it will get you.Indyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04383904151475839441noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1638916042737526171.post-39248022769308645702012-08-21T16:50:00.783+01:002012-08-21T16:50:00.783+01:00Increase in older people dying could be continued ...Increase in older people dying could be continued drug use through age, either occasional or ongoing.<br /><br />Most 40-50 year olds would have been exposed to rave culture and the expansion of drug use to something altogether more social.<br /><br />The availability of drugs now makes it a simple matter for well off older folk to occasionally dip their toe, sometimes with tragic consequences.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com