South Scotland MSP Emma Harper raised the issue of stigma, as part of the process of tackling deaths associated with drugs and alcohol, with the Scottish Government this week.
Following the NRS report on 2020 figures which show Scotland’s increase in drugs-related deaths a Statement to Parliament was made (Tuesday 3 August) by Minister for Drugs Policy, Angela Constance MSP.
Ms Harper asked the Minister what education is intended, or is being provided, to healthcare professionals who don’t work directly in drug and alcohol services, such as hospital or wider community staff, as well as the wider public to tackle drug-related Stigma.
Ms Harper asked;
“The Scottish Government has rightly identified tackling drug related stigma as a priority in our national mission in reducing drug deaths and harm.
“Can the Minister therefore outline what education is intended or is being provided to healthcare professionals who don’t work directly in drug and alcohol services, such as hospital and community staff, as well as the wider public, to tackle drug related stigma?”
Minister for Drugs Policy, Angela Constance, commented;
“There is a wide range of work going on with our national media campaigns which will be rolled out later this year to raise awareness across society, including to those who work within the drugs field or wider health and social care.
“In terms of a stigma charter there is work being led by the ‘lived experience’ community with regards to that. And the point about work-force development, I believe, is crucially important for the wider public service work-force, as well as those who are currently engaged in drug and alcohol service work.
“In terms of the work which is led by the Deputy First Minister and NHS Education there is work around the ‘trauma informed nation’ which is essentially about asking people ‘what has happened to you?’ instead of asking what is wrong with them. All of this is very important work to tackling stigma because we know stigma is an absolute barrier to people accessing treatment and you’ve got to remove it and you’ve got to have a far better discussion about why language matters.”
