The Committee will consider the following questions:
What are the unique drivers of drugs abuse in Scotland? How is drugs misuse in Scotland different from the rest of the UK?
To what extent does UK-wide drugs legislation affect the Scottish Government’s ability to address the specific drivers of drugs abuse in Scotland?
What is the relationship between poverty and deprivation and problem drug use?
What role could reserved social security policy play in addressing problem drug use?
How is the drugs market in Scotland changing? How well do current regulations meet the challenges of new trends in drug disruption, such as the “dark web”. Are any changes needed to the current regulatory landscape?
Are there other areas of reserved policy which is influencing the Scottish Government’s ability to address drugs misuse in Scotland?
How effectively do the UK and Scottish Governments work together to tackle drugs misuse in Scotland? Do the UK and Scottish Governments share best practice, information and policy outcomes to help address drugs misuse in Scotland?
Would further devolution of powers enable the Scottish Government more effectively address drugs misuse in Scotland and tailor their approach to Scotland’s needs?
What could Scotland learn from the approach taken to tackle drug misuse in other countries?
Letter from the Chair of the Scottish Affairs Committee, to the Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Home Office, regarding appearance before the Scottish Affairs Committee, 21 June 2019
Witnesses James Wolffe QC, Lord Advocate, Iain Logan, Principal Procurator Fiscal Depute, Policy Unit, Crown Office and Procurator Fiscal ServiceJoe FitzPatrick MSP, Minister for Public Health, Sport, Beverley Francis, Drug Law and Health Harm Lead, Scottish Government
Witnesses Dave Liddell, CEO, Scottish Drugs Forum, Martin Powell, Transform Drug Policy Foundation, Jim Duffy, Law Enforcement Action Partnership UKProfessor Alex Stevens, University of Kent, Advisory Council on Misuse of Drugs, Chief Inspector Jason Kew, Drugs policy lead, Thames Valley, Assistant Chief Constable Steve Johnson, Police Scotland, Detective Superintendent Kevin Weir, Durham Police