Economics behind Scotland's drug problem - your views

Intro

Economics behind our drug problem

In First Minister's Questions last Thursday, it was inevitable that Nicola Sturgeon would come in for some harsh criticism after Scotland's drug related deaths hit record highs.

Absolving themselves and their parties from blame, opposition MSPs forced Sturgeon to say sorry for a problem that is not her fault and her public health minister has since stepped down. Job done then.

Well, not quite! Amid all the bluff and bluster, not one of our highly paid MSPs addressed the two most important questions: why do we have a problem with drugs and what can we do about it?

Yes, there was talk about a lack of funding for treatment and rehabilitation, but those measures, important as they are, only treat the symptoms of drug abuse, not the reasons why people take drugs in the first place.

It is often said that people are free to make their own choices and nobody forces them to take drugs. Statistics, however, always show that making the right choices is often influenced by a lack of properly paid jobs which leads to poverty and inequality which unarguably sees drug abuse more prevalent in socially deprived areas.

When Mrs Thatcher sold off our industrial sector and workers were tossed on the scrapheap, thousands went on benefits, particularly sickness benefit, and stayed on them.

Anyone who thinks replacing Sturgeon with Willie Rennie, Richard Leonard or Ruth Davidson, or should I say, Douglas Ross, is the answer to our drug problem must be quite politically naïve, in my opinion.

Jack Fraser, Clayknowes Drive, Musselburgh.

Social work carers are our unsung heroes

My husband died at home a few weeks ago and I would like to pay tribute to the small army of social work care staff who go around the homes of this City from 7am till 10pm, enabling the elderly, the frail and the sick to stay in their own homes and avoid hospital or nursing home admission.

Their dedication, loving care and sense of humour made a difficult time more bearable. My especial thanks go to the north west Edinburgh team.

They are unsung heroes and deserve greater recognition and probably higher pay!Words are not enough.

Shirley Sibbald, Drum Brae Park, Edinburgh.

Turn empty offices into new homes

There is now a great chance for our government to change our city centres for the better.

More and more office space is going to be lying empty. There is a chance to build affordable flats - no more offices or student accommodation.

Helping the city centre economically aids shops cafes and pubs, and will also eventually fill the offices that are going to be empty. And most of all help our young get on the market, everyone’s a winner!

Roy Reynolds, Leith.

It’s time Ferguson was shown the door

With Dominic Cummings no longer working for Boris and Margaret Ferrier MP suspended from the SNP, there is still one senior Cov-idiot to deal with.

Professor Neil Ferguson, whose computer model and predictions of half a million dead plunged us into lockdown nine months ago, is still on a sub-committee of SAGE, the UK government’s Scientific Advisory Group for Emergencies.

If a man can’t obey the rules which he advised the government to impose on us all, then he really shouldn’t remain a key advisor.

Otto Inglis, Cowdenbeath. Fife.