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Review
. 2022 Aug 29;19(1):98.
doi: 10.1186/s12954-022-00680-y.

An avoidable crisis

Catriona Matheson  1 , Roy Robertson  2
Affiliations
Review

An avoidable crisis

Catriona Matheson et al. Harm Reduct J. .

Abstract

In Scotland drug policy and consequently the progress of evidence-based treatment options has been struggling for many years. Political inaction is brought about by a complex chain of legal and operational obstructions with local authorities deferring to national Government which in turn is paralysed by international convention. Scotland represents a case study demonstrating the adverse consequences of management by non medical requirements rather than implementation of a clinically proven progressive policy. The difficulty of translating theory and evidence into practice is acknowledged but suggestions are made for pragmatic and humanitarian initiatives.

Keywords: Benzodiazepine; Drug policy; Overdose prevention; Political control; Research.

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Conflict of interest statement

The authors have no competing interests.

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