Scotland's drug deaths crisis

Tonight we can reveal the major drugs plight of Dundee in Scotland, a city where the scale of drugs deaths is greater than anywhere in the UK, which in turn has by far the highest death rate in the European Union.
This programme has learnt that in January alone there were 12 suspected drug-related deaths in the city, leading to fears that this year could be the worst on record. In an exclusive report, we meet the families of two women who died from a drug overdose in the last three months, and the addicts who fear for their own lives.

[@Trypyyyy]

I lived in Dundee while I went to University there and I was so unaware of this problem until I saw it on the news one day and suddenly I started to see them everywhere. It was like a bubble burst. I hope they fix this problem. The people in Dundee were kind and so welcoming. I pray for their recovery.

[@luckystar8587]

Hey from here in bonnie sunny dundee,just read ur comment and yes 2 years on they havnt fixed the problem it's way worse

[@mc4105]

@@luckystar8587 That's sad that you are writing this nearly 4 years later.

[@luckystar8587]

@@mc4105 it's worse than ever here,and local authorities and police know it all and dont help

[@mc4105]

@@luckystar8587 such a shame. This literally came up on my recomended was unaware of the statistics surrounding Dundee. Is it to do with current government in power?

[@luckystar8587]

@@mc4105 it's to do with the dundee being such a small town,that police and local government workers have there fingers in the same pies as the criminals

[@nuklearpuppy]

I am on a 14 month wait for homeless accommodation. I was born in the UK, have worked over 17 years and suffered a relationship breakdown. If it were not for my friend I would be on the streets like these poor people. My city’s housing is way too expensive to rent and newer housing mainly applies to students and higher earners. People who look down there noses at these people need to appreciate that this can happen to anyone. Everyone has a different story and should not be thought of as a scrounging junkie who deserves nothing..

[@richardwilson57]

How much money did you save from the 4,420 days of work that you did?

[@markheitz7963]

Spoiler It's even worse now

[@ermenengardo]

Hope u have a flat now m8..... But think if u were italian like me.. No benefits, no support, no homeless scheme, just the streets...

[@ARMAGEDDONsCOMING]

Part of the problem is attachment and the lack of meaningful attachments and a sense of belonging as the video states, purpose, love, to be valued, self esteem.

[@gorillanotion1024]

I think being so detached is the problem.

[@kirstyi7860]

The breakdown of the family is one huge reason kids don't feel they are loved and their lives are meaningless. Parents need to cherish them, to prove to them that we love them, to make sure they go to school and behave themselves. *Put them first.*

[@randominternetperson1998]

I really respect the man at 14:00, it takes so much courage to get back on track after years off giving up. He's also very right about having a purpose.

[@danielwiggins5739]

random internet person Yeah what an awesome point to make. Hit home for me

[@robbymartin1447]

Bless all those poor souls. They are our human brothers and sisters whom are suffering. Please get help before it's too late. 🙏

[@marimurphy3856]

💔😢🌹🙏

[@donnamccann4346]

Thank you.

[@beaulieuc8910]

They are adults and choose to take drugs. Find better ways of feeling better and grow up

[@lemostjoyousrenegade]

🎯‼️

[@dzddteo4920]

Proof that the SNP health minister hasn’t got a clue on a health crisis

[@crocoman776]

Nobody, NOBODY knows how they’d react if their whole world was taken from them in an instant. Drugs are sometimes all that a person thinks they have. Life can be so cruel.

[@cassiopeiaAlbascot]

This is very true

[@celticbastardson2599]

You're 100 percent correct. I used to think "junkies" were the worst life form on earth, until I had an emergency surgery and was given pain medication. I quickly became an addicted.

[@jamiegotti8436]

That’s just not every reason for drug use addiction is the main reason

[@veronicamoody3981]

The simple reality is that it would be really difficult for an addict or alcoholic to get clean or sober if they are living on the street, not having a place to sleep, shelter from the elements, take care of nutritional and hygiene needs, etc.

[@kirstyi7860]

Not true. There are 12 step meetings all over the place and people there can help, in fact that's why they're there. If you want to get clean and sober, it can be done. You just have to want it.

[@hasslefree1848]

@@veronicamoody3981 The problem is, while many people do get clean, as they say, by way of government detox and drug rehabilitation programs that in effect **isolate** them from the drugs that they are addicted to.... But.. as soon as they are back out on the streets they can easily obtain the drugs that they were addicted to and start all over again. Many do while a sad percent do simply start all over again . As long as those highly addictive drugs are made readily available and easily obtainable then there is no surprise that all too many of the recently former drug addicts soon become addicted again after being released from Rehab programs. That is another nasty aspect of those many types of highly addictive drugs . Even after becoming clean the drug imprint remains in their brain /minds and in their body and soul. The **cravings** for the drugs never goes away while it is so easy for any former drug addict to simply start using again. That being the case there is a high failure rate in that respect. The only really effective way is to isolate the former drug users / drug addicts from access to the drugs. But that is not the case because they are released back out into the same drug filled, drug fueled, drug induced and drug seduced environment that was instrumental in their drug addiction in the first place..🙈🙈 It is a revolving cycle and so easy to be trapped in.

[@Livelaughlove8585]

Once addicted to heroin it changes ur brain n its veey hard to get back to normal again.

[@MUFFINHEAD1985]

Kelly marie Saw your comment randomly on a Trainspotting scene too. Good luck with getting your life back. Stay strong dude.

[@WilliamLithgowGuitars]

True. So you finally come off with meth` etc and then what do you do?All your associates are still using so you keep away from them and find yourself alone! I hadn`t taking H for almost 4 years but last week i could not find a dentist and scored! Still never cured the pain of the toothache but still kinda enjoyed it even though a felt mega guilty after it!!

[@User1919-d5v]

Don't start it then. Simples

[@Livelaughlove8585]

@@MUFFINHEAD1985 💯💯💯❤️❤️

[@GrogGMartin]

I'm hearing really good things about Portugal

[@kirstyi7860]

It's the feeling of meaningless. No constants, no solid rock to stand upon, you didn't know your Dad or you wish you didn't. You're just one of the siblings from your Mum's different 'baby Daddy's' and nobody cares if you go to school or not. We don't put our children first anymore. We don't stay with our spouse when it gets tough, *we are failing to give our children purpose and meaning.*

[@luckystar8587]

I'm living proof that heroin can be beat,I'm 17 years clean

[@ToquzOghuzKhaganatekhan]

Since I cut off my alcohol addictions in Scots beer in my own place , and that old place wasn't good place to socialize , life started to get together ! Moving forward and forget about past

[@francisbegbie1008]

no fuckin way would ah poison ma body wi that shite

[@beaulieuc8910]

well said. Drugs are just junk aren;t they?

[@lockandloadlikehell]

Legalize pot, shrooms, natural psychedelics for a start. Legalize everything would be even better.

[@secretlifeofa1926]

So stupid that people automatically expect the government to fix all the problems. Such a helpless attitude.

[@YusuphYT]

Indeed. Socialism is their answer sadly. That’s great for those who need, but not for Scotland as a whole.

[@EVSmith-by9no]

Homelessness is a problem of an organised human society and so it’s right that the government should help with that issue.

[@FTfilm]

The governemnt represents all the people, and so basically what you are saying is, that not everyone should help these people in need of help but only some. Shame on you sir. You try to make it the problem of somebody else just because you dont want to do your part to make the world better for everyone, instead you only want to help yourself, selfish and morally wrong.

[@jbjaguar2717]

It's not about having the government fix their problems. It's about getting the support they need to fix the problems themselves.

[@finanzferdinand9874]

The answer John is looking for is Dundee is a miserable place. Scotland obviously has a weather problem, but when a place is intrinsically miserable too, thats a double edged sword.

[@nervousheadache]

Dundee is not miserable. And what “weather problem”? We have normal weather. You are a weird.

[@marionahlfeld5739]

I am Marion Ingrid Ahlfeld born in Dundee in 1965. Left school with nothing at 15 years old. Grew up in Kirkton Dundee. Fell pregnant at 21 in 1986 to a heroin addict. Who's girlfriend was dying of AIDS (no HIV then). That minister talking knows nothing. Dundee was in chaos then, but we did have support. HOUSING, (Whitfield) where I had a flat. Child and family support centres. Me now at 57? After a career as a Financial Director because at 21 I was a mature learner I went to University in Dundee (As I got a place for my daughter at the family centre when she was born)in Whitfield. (thats another story) The AIDS epidemic killed a lot of my drug taking friends. I watched them die.In Dundee. So to see this randomly in Berlin where I now live as a club owner is shocking. Its HOUSING first. Support for the addiction. AND people that know what they are talking about to offer that support. In my mind the Minister and the ex drug user now at University know nothing NOTHING about addiction in Dundee.....

[@pitabasbhoi3191]

When you put personal interest above than social interest, problem will bound to occur.

[@kirstyi7860]

That's' what parents have done, they care more about themselves than they do their child. As long as we think that self-actualization is the most important thing in life, we can not serve our children. We *must* sacrifice for our children, we *must* show them that we love them before ourselves.

[@marimurphy3856]

This government should be ashamed off theself. 😡

[@MoebiusUK]

The government should consider full drug decriminalisation. It worked in Portugal.

[@MsBhappy]

legalize and regulate. It's the only way to ensure safety in the ingredients and drug levels/concentration.

[@Lord.Smith.the.first.]

They never will old men in wigs braying like barn aminals will never let it happen.

[@mrkipling2201]

I totally agree. It worked in Portugal and Switzerland. Their problems associated with heroin and illegal drugs halved virtually overnight.

[@tysonsimmons2295]

I agree. I don’t see any reason beyond nefarious agendas at play politically, why a person can’t be prescribed diacetylmorphine or hydromorphone or better yet oxymorphone , daily, And even their means of administration be their preference. In British Columbia / Vancouver and even Toronto Canada they have implemented these programs with great success. Imagine that, after no success on methadone and relapse after relapse, the patients walk into the clinic 2-3 times a day and are handed a loaded syringe with their DOC and under supervision , self administer (typically, sometimes a nurse will assist) usually through IV but IM I understand is much healthier, especially long term, and walk out after a super quick debriefing (if you will) and they are on their way.

[@alwhyte6533]

It's been mooted in the Scottish Parliament, but flat out squashed by Westminster.

[@mc-ec3bu]

Nippy is making it woes she just doesn't care about people only her self.

[@LongNguyen-bv2ll]

Being honest, kind doesn't mean being weak or soft ... Let "watch" say no and "calm and courage" say rejection, point to meaning and "protect the right" with Loved family members and everyone in society

[@fordprefect8375]

Please be assured all addicts that there are many folk that love you all ❤

[@owenmccall632]

These people are statistics to anyone who knows no different.its happened within my close and extended family,four lives cut drastically short,and still it goes on and on.to each and everyone who has suffered the loss of loved ones through this scourge of our times,I feel for the loss.

[@kumardickshit1530]

Lol

[@lizzy1974]

We have Massive Problems from Drugs here in Scotland!

[@roddymcniven8734]

Indeed we have. They’re getting a little bit pricey.

[@ricmay2837]

When your house is robbed, your garage robbed, your van robbed, your attacked physically by drug and alcohol users …stealing…shop lifting drink….meat ..attacking shop workers … stabbing and robbing each other….stealing peoples phones ..bags … Being elbowed in the face when worshipping in church …. Being threatened by blades and attack …. Having your home targeted with spray paint ..bricks and accusations of Beast by …..beastly behaviours….. The so called Junkies…who love their drugs..who lie and steal …. And rob helpers …and the elderly .. In China …..the Junk boats moved moved Opium …. And the Word describes the movement of Horrible Drugs …… The victims …..are traumatised by the selfishness of drug users ..and sellers and regular stealing …house robbing ..car breakers … violence…..

[@Franeeky]

I thought she was Davina McCall

[@KAhmed]

SADDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDLOLSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSS

[@zacoboy1]

Doing a grand job SNP

[@majorplayz6568]

You gotta want to help yourself, I been 7yr clean, never go back. I hole they get strong

[@beckstar967]

I know these two, so sad.. Andy and Sheryl. Ahh, Dundee.

[@freeshavocadoo5147]

Did sheryl die

[@caramelville5358]

Yes sheryl died

[@sim6699]

High unemployment, poverty and misery, no wonder some turn to drugs

[@beaulieuc8910]

just narcissistic weak people

[@papabenoit782]

Rest In Peace Cheryl. God bless

[@jaangel6690]

Give the youth of today a better chance in the future. Give our societies better support to stop them turning to drugs in their despair. The problem is the government does not allow their people freedom to live comfortably, They allow bills to be so costly that people are giving up even when they work for a living. Put the cost of living down and give them more money to help them into a better existence. Allow them to enjoy the money they work for and stop taxing everything. People are miserable and turn to substances to feel better but in the end it takes their lives.

[@mircozettel5140]

They are poor, but not too poor to afford drugs.

[@gisli12]

Funny how they blame street dealers for their daughters death. How can you blame the dealer it's not like the dealer made them addicted!

[@LuciThomasHardylover-qx6ts]

The dealer is selling the unknown muck.

[@andrewsweeney1869]

Give people a purpose in life and something to live for

[@andrewsweeney1869]

The problem is just not in Scotland -so many towns in UK have suffered post industrial decline ,leading to Unemployment,Lack of opportunity and Poverty.I escaped by joinig the Army Medical Services and training as a Radiographer.Whatever the answer, it wont be found by getting into debt ,doing 'Dumbed Down Degrees at the plethora of 5th Rate Unis that infest this country.Unfortunately ,many find solace in Drugs and i have no answers.But a lot of resilience can be gained if people have at least some Hope.Look at the Situation in the USA -like Kensington Ave in Philadelphia.This will happen here and will be excacerbated by Mass Immigration.@Victoriakarenka

[@martinduffy6422]

Nobody should live like that god bless them

[@ronlisk1911]

Scumdee has been SNP for years. Also, it was one of only four local government areas which voted for independence in 2014. That's what supporting the SNP does for a city. Glasgow will soon go the same way.

[@kobikob2179]

They only care about independence, they don't consider anything else.

[@gaz8177]

Facts Ron 👍

[@jbjaguar2717]

Aye because nobody took drugs in Dundee before the SNP took charge? What a load of shite. The reason Glasgow and Dundee have the highest share of Yes voters is because they are most dissatisfied with the status quo - because it's causing them more harm than wealthy cities like Aberdeen and Edinburgh which have less deprivation.

[@nervousheadache]

Nasty, ignorant comment.

[@marimurphy3856]

Fact.

[@ben_jamin160]

i used to be a fire man and now im a scottish smack head. theres heroin in every street in scotland.

[@shelby6571]

Just wondering....a year later are things any better for you?

[@johngarvey5370]

I wish, can do bensedin boxes

[@cassiopeiaAlbascot]

@@johngarvey5370 How are you doing now? What made you start taking it?

[@gorillanotion1024]

I'm sorry to hear that. I hope you are doing better now.

[@Diehard2906]

Just watch trainspotting

[@waynegrow]

The street valium is very difficult to address. The tapering process takes months . Plus you have to find the right starting dose to start the long tedious process. And then being restricted to picking up from the chemist every other day for your tablets. Drs don't have time for this plus majority will relapse. You virtually have to live like a monk to get off valium. Far more complex than any other drug. I'm giving this from personal experience. You cannot cold turkey from Street valium. It's virtually impossible. You will die slowly from complete insomnia .

[@ytsm]

I hope your sobriety is going well? Does street Valium have actual Valium in it, and is it luck of the draw, with regards the actual dose? I expect these are the contributing factors to OD'ing, rather than the heroin?

[@scottthompson5800]

Max dose Dr gives is 30mg ten reduce 2mg every 2 weeks..but it's almost impossible to get help..I been off Brown years..on methadone 26 years.100mg..This isn't problem..iv been begging for help for over 1 year..there finnaly gonna help me reduce..it's long hard road.. Don't do drugs kids

[@waynegrow]

@@scottthompson5800 I had to buy people's prescription diazepam to start tapering myself. I found tolerance at 20 mg . Tolerance being taken at night sedated but not overly sedated. Managed to get prescribed by a drugs centre only when I stabilised at 10mg..they were trying to rapidly taper me 2mg every fortnight. When i hit the 6mg I went into bad withdrawal so I upped to 7.5 mg. Then 1 mg drops every 2 weeks untilni got to 2.5 mg then .5 mg every 2 weeks. Took me 7 months. I tried to cold turkey for 7 months but I got severely kindled when I had a septorhinoplasty surgery. Was slowly dying brain misfiring wouldn't let me sleep. Never heard of anything like it. All drs would say its out my system. If it wasn't for the benzo groups I'd be dead. 4 months out still not right. There's an extensive list of substances and herbs and foods of concern you must avoid on cessation of benzos. Its a very long road to recovery. Really hope you get the help you deserve. Drug centres don't like taking on benzos. I was 1 of 2 people being prescribed but luckily had my own back up supply of real prescription diazepam. Thank god my tolerance was low as I stupidly tried to cold turkey this poison..

[@sammyleet03]

My friend overdosed and died after taking dodgy valium and/or ecstasy in February last year and it's had a long lasting effect on my best friend, as he didn't just lose his best pal he lost his brother. Drugs are so easy to start but it's so difficult to stop

[@waynegrow]

@@sammyleet03 very sorry to hear that . Very tricky mixing any drug with benzos. I had suicide ideation quite bad. Don't know how I've made it this far. It's been a journey that can't be repeated. To old anyway

[@saturn1returns]

It’s so depressing seeing this happening to our people. We need to adopt model from other countries where drug deaths are low and figure out what they are doing what we are not. Tbh, I think it the way we parent here. In other countries the breast feed way more, Scotland has the lowest rate in Europe, also we chip our babies out to nurseries at 2 yo, we give too much screen time to babies, we don’t co-sleep and properly attached to our babies here. Places like Spain and Germany were there is low drug deaths seem to be better at parenting. IMO, you should real some books by Gabor Mate.

[@shaunbremner3322]

these poor mothers , its wild how little the world cares. world should not be this way

[@kingsolarmanetrashgang1339]

I'm from the borders 60 deaths from drugs this year in Scotland's smallest towns

[@andypandy5361]

That's the borders for you. It's rife.

[@anthonymcnamara9536]

We need to all stand together everyone

[@Fubar-tq7vz]

I live in Grimsby and have seen a lot of people die including friends drugs and alcohol are killing a lot of people, its not just overdoses a lot die from health issues caused by drugs and alcohol would legalising heroin help ? I'm no expert but something needs to be done before other generations are sucked into the misery of addiction

[@ricmay2837]

Build a rehab village outside Dundee…. Not just a detox… remove the users from the city…the community…the drug dealers…other users …..over years, rebuild the person, and the faith, and purpose …. I campaign for this …while staying among the drug users …in Dundee… Edinburgh and Glasgow …primarily Dundee…… I’ve been full time since 2007…sitting among the serious drug deaths …and previous, I worked for 15 years among mental health charities…particularly the many suicidal and voice hearers ….. All the drug users need full rehabilitation…. Maturity….unplugging from all drugs ….

[@LuciThomasHardylover-qx6ts]

Sounds fantastic!!! One of the old Victorian mental hospitals would have been good! That's how they were meant to be run,some were..they had fast, workshops, hairdressers and social events, all in beautiful grounds. Cricket pavillions and football pitches. A total community. Is there anything more than your hopes for this?

[@PTENelsonGR]

I know the feeling unfortunately

[@marshjj3788]

In Portugal ALL drugs are legal however drugs related deaths in Scotland is 27 times higher.

[@DavidElstob73]

Shows how dumb the Governments are doesn't it? Any sensible forward-thinking Government would follow the successful example of Portugal, but they put old-fashioned values and failures before doing what's right.

[@freeshavocadoo5147]

Dundee is not even the worst of it

[@mrkipling2201]

Same thing happened in Switzerland as well. Yet our government are too stubborn and stupid to do anything sensible.

[@sapphiresteele5096]

Awfully sad what your suffering I too have been waiting for a house for over a year and am have addiction problems I'm in my 40 s I feel disregard and ageing process makes it harder as the years go by. Good luck my friend

[@schopen-hauer]

portugal had epidemic numbers in the 80s the deaths are what ended heroin not laws

[@tysonsimmons2295]

Portugal Legalized all drugs, that’s what ended epidemic usage.

[@georginaohara42]

It’s NOT only old timers who are dying off. Our youth are misusing these drugs. It’s 2024 and NOTHING has changed here.

[@cassiopeiaAlbascot]

As someone below has mentioned, no one knows what has happened to a person to feel that is the best option they have left in life, for instance they have plans to end it all, they may be suidical and the only other option they see is to take the pain away before they end it, in that mind state is like tunnel vision, and once they have had it they want to keep going but only for the drug and the problems only get worse. if someone hasn't felt that kind of pain they will not understand it.

[@louisereid6427]

This women sheryl has passed away now she overdosed, shame Dundee is rife with drugs

[@TheWendable]

Not surprised, she OD'd twice? 🤦🏻‍♀️

[@literatureshorts9792]

There’s is a big heroin problem in Edinburgh aswell where there are scores of addicts living close to posh people which shows how big the social class divide is in Scotland

[@adamwalkeraw]

I was in Edinburgh last week, got off the bus in city centre walked to rpyal mile n asked the first guy i saw who looked like he could help me for brown, i got sorted in about 20mins,me n him n his mate did it sitting in broad daylight in a park nearby, theres tons of it in Edinburgh its really normalised...

[@dannymcintyre3819]

@@adamwalkeraw how old are you?

[@adamwalkeraw]

@@dannymcintyre3819 35

[@dannymcintyre3819]

@@adamwalkeraw how did you get into using brown? What age were you when you first tried it?

[@adamwalkeraw]

@@dannymcintyre3819 i was 21,i was into lots of other stuff n one morning after a pill party a older friend of mine said he could get, it just came up in conversation so about 10am with no sleep we walked a couple of streets away to meet his guy n that was that, basically whole lifes been a mess since thst day, ive been on n off, on n off meth scripts, lost everything n still today did full sickness last nite n waitin to score. I dont think il ever recover from what its done to me.

[@KK-ex3ej]

The austerity and childhood trauma of Dundee is like nowhere else in Scotland. Many layers of complex issues which have affected children growing up in Dundee for generations.

[@alexcore697]

Whole generation of 90s crew are gone,,Lots of my friends are gone RIP

[@straightupnades]

Me too bud, all my mates are dead from heroin, suicide, disease and violence, I miss them all, even though in the end they were nothing like the lads I went to school with. We all made bad decisions and all paid dearly..... ✌️

[@gentlemendesperado9790]

ODing then taking the other half to OD again, just shows you we as well just legalising and giving a safe space. Stop spending other resources

[@christopherlangton5596]

Until you realise that the problem isn't the availability. Its the criminalisation that pushes up potency and cleanliness of any drug. Things like putting up the minimum price of alcohol, pushes people to cheaper more dangerous alternatives as an example. It will never change because you can't see the real problem.

[@helenbartoszek243]

Alcohol dearer than heroin? Not in Australia!

[@stuartparkinson6061]

Crown crime undercurrent.

[@joeboyd8702]

Very sad. Society is letting these druggies down.

[@markmurphy3634]

One of the lady’s in this documentary not gonna mention her name but she knows who she is i was poisoned by one of her family members or someone who’s tied in to her family when I was sat outside the Tesco store on the hill town one night a guy approached me didn’t know who he was but I know now who he is handed me a box of chips I genuinely thought it was someone trying to help me I was going threw a rough patch on the drugs at the time but first of all illd like to say i might have been one to sit down for money but I never stole from anyone nor did I go around breaking into houses or cars I didn’t make my drug problem anyone else’s but my own nd anytime I see someone sitting for money I always tell them be careful if u accept food from people especially if it’s food that’s been opened I know a lot of people wouldn’t do such a thing and mean well but the people who did that to me are a family of horrible vile people yous know who yous are and the worst part of it is that this lady knows what it’s like to loose someone close to her threw drugs

[@MargaretMccafferty-j4s]

Interview the hidden people not just the worst as it's bringing prejudice and generalisations.

[@thelewischessman3726]

Its not almost all the drug/alcohol deaths i know off which are many were 30 and below

[@valerieellington678]

Susan Cheryl I miss u all so much ❤️ Leanne Ellington

[@mrsbee5056]

The only wat is to keepyour kids on a tight leash, If their life is going down the plughole, move to a village in Spain and give them a methadone course and a job. Work hard, rent a council house and get as much money in the bank you can. Take your kid on beatiful holidays every year. Cant afford that? stop smokinh,drinking,bingo,going out, putting a new man in their life, focus 1 hundred percent on your kids. Dont have more than two kids

[@glizzforman8094]

Why not more that 2

[@scottthompson5800]

Years on its no better If been buying vallium on street for years.Iv been begging for script and help to get off them but they will not budge..I was told to continue buying them off streets and reduce myself. How can anyone do this when one day to the next you don't know what your buying. our Nhs might be good.but help with benzodiazepines isn't there. Scott Thompson Yeovil Somerset

[@nathaliej2749]

Such a pity all those deaths... There should be more help for those people.

[@heather-vs9qe]

This is dreadful why is there no shelter for them. Housing and mental health,.at least find somewhere somehow to sleep get them off the street.. No jobs...it's a shame..give me a break...well take bold approaches then. This is not good enough..l pray for Dundee.

[@stephenswistchew7720]

The dingy divers are given more help than the locals what a way to run a country

[@gaffnaldo1]

Dingy divers?

[@chris-ub8in]

Here in Scotland is depressing horrible weather no jobs corrupt government just to name a few.

[@yian9226]

Where are all these drugs come from?

[@TheMiniMaestroMan]

Liverpool.

[@alanmctavish4802]

too many people have the power to do whats right but they havent a clue where to start becouse they havent been there themselfs. people have to feel the same pain to want to help. but they havent and that is the main problem. there not even well trainend. then theres the social side to it who know these are sick people but if you can stick your tonque out and say "monkey" with your two hands on your legs then they are fit to work. theres alot against these people and it could be sorted out alot better. but people in the system dont want to help. and thats the bottom line. the goverment and there foot soldiers dont want to help. so who does? its always ex addicts and well done to them for helping but theres people in the system that wont help, they just want to look good. but there kidding no one on.

[@ivrishcon-abarth38]

So you´re saying drugs are bad, okay?

[@luckystar8587]

Most of the people in this docu are part of the problem in dundee,none of these people are homeless and defo not skint.most contribute to the illegal drugs getting dealt in many schemes.all show for the cams,I stay here and these people are a total pain in the ars

[@gaffnaldo1]

That's interesting. You think it's angled at sympathy and absolving the addicts from blame?

[@luckystar8587]

@@gaffnaldo1 if you look at my other comment you will see I know this life very well,17 years clean.and yes most drug addicts(most majority)are part of the problem hence why I gog clean.i started to realise that here in Scotland most addicts are enabled and molly coddled hence why most stay on drugs here.most are told that it's the dealers and other things that are the problem and not actually told they are a part of that grand scheme regardless if they are the ones addicted.i changed 17 years ago because I woke to the fact I was a part of that problem hence why I got clean.

[@starofdavid9919]

PORTUGAL

[@richardwilson57]

Dealers are not the problem. Politicians perpetuating a never ending war on addicts are the problem. Email your MP

[@majorplayz6568]

You gotta want to help yourself, I been 7yr clean, never go back. I hole they get strong

[@marimurphy3856]

Think the dark hair girl was in balgay..R.I.P 😢💔🌹🙏

[@marimurphy3856]

My heart goes out to family's I had to bring my grandson absolutely despicable how Ower own are on the st and all the people that are coming into the country are getting put in 4 star 🌟 hotel's same thing in the hole off Renfrewshire Scotland. 😡

[@jbjaguar2717]

Is it immigration that's causing the drug crisis? You need to stop reading all that pish in the Daily Mail I think. There wouldn't be a 'conflict' between asylum seekers and Scottish homeless if the government in London hadn't spent 10 years cutting budgets for housing and social services.

[@darren1093]

That's an example of being powerless over your addiction , methadone don't work ,we more abstinent based recovery programs to help sort out this , it's a pandemic on its the addiction issues the whole of the UK suffer from , am an addict in recovery I've been exactly where that two were , but am now clean threw the help of Narcotics anonymous am gonna be abstinent off my methadone in a few days . I find it really sad the situation of addiction that our communities across the country are facing , we need to stand up for change at government level before anything will change , I were on methadone for 19 yrs and there were no incentive too come off it from my cpns bk home in Scotland ,it were only till I moved to England and found NA and saw that recovery was possible ,I never even knew about Narcotics anonymous in Scotland cause I were never encouraged to go by my addiction treatment places ,which were ran by the NHS go figures 🤷🏻, my brother is part of that statistic as he died from an overdose from drugs prescribed by his doctor aswell as using street drugs , something needs done about it

[@tysonsimmons2295]

Sorry for your loss mate, but you made it seem like you blame the doctor for your bros death. And that’s not really right. As you said it was an overdose when he mixed with street drugs and was likely abusing the doctor prescribed meds. Methadone does work, it works for those who make it work. Obviously it’s not something that automatically makes you quit everything and magically don’t take drugs anymore. It’s meant to allow addicts to start to live a stable life, one where they can then focus on the social aspects which led them to use and abuse drugs in the first place, It’s there as long as you need it, As it should be, It shouldn’t be a time limit, everyone’s different, I’ve seen some Use methadone for a month or two, and seen others on it for 20 plus years. It’s meant to be “when your ready, go for it, but we aren’t going to push you.” That’s when failure and death happens. Methadone is like life: it is however you make it.

[@LuciThomasHardylover-qx6ts]

❤️❤️❤️ love John Snow ❤️❤️❤️ Such a gentleman ☺️

[@scottmcneil1150]

Ciaran likes hammering Scotland, strange that ..

[@MrMarkhall1]

The rave culture in the 90's didn't help,drugs like cannabis, poppers,gurana,speed, LSD, extacy, ketamin, cocaine...gateway to super heavy stuff.

[@paulwhittam2974]

Absolute dribble that

[@capitol7950]

I know folk that took H to come down from E. And a few o them now in their 50s parked on methadone

[@shawndurbs]

I’ve done all those drugs above and have never even thought of trying H. So that’s BS.

[@nicholastimms]

It's a war without end...

[@SuperGreatSphinx]

A drug is any substance (other than food that provides nutritional support) that, when inhaled, injected, smoked, consumed, absorbed via a patch on the skin, or dissolved under the tongue causes a temporary physiological (and often psychological) change in the body. In pharmacology, a pharmaceutical drug, also called a medication or medicine, is a chemical substance used to treat, cure, prevent, or diagnose a disease or to promote well-being. Traditionally, drugs were obtained through extraction from medicinal plants, but more recently also by organic synthesis. Pharmaceutical drugs may be used for a limited duration, or on a regular basis for chronic disorders. Pharmaceutical drugs are often classified into drug classes-groups of related drugs that have similar chemical structures, the same mechanism of action (binding to the same biological target), a related mode of action, and that are used to treat the same disease. The Anatomical Therapeutic Chemical Classification System (ATC), the most widely used drug classification system, assigns drugs a unique ATC code, which is an alphanumeric code that assigns it to specific drug classes within the ATC system. Another major classification system is the Biopharmaceutics Classification System. This classifies drugs according to their solubility and permeability or absorption properties. Psychoactive drugs are chemical substances that affect the function of the central nervous system, altering perception, mood or consciousness. They include alcohol, a depressant (and a stimulant in small quantities), and the stimulants nicotine and caffeine. These three are the most widely consumed psychoactive drugs worldwide, and are also considered recreational drugs since they are used for pleasure rather than medicinal purposes. Other recreational drugs include hallucinogens, opiates and amphetamines, and some of these are also used in spiritual or religious settings. Some drugs can cause addiction, and all drugs can have side effects. Excessive use of stimulants can promote stimulant psychosis. Many recreational drugs are illicit and international treaties such as the Single Convention on Narcotic Drugs exist for the purpose of their prohibition.

[@dezjustice7907]

And your point is?

[@valerieellington678]

Sadly I have lived this loved this at times and lost most friends and partner too I just hoe one day I can work alongside helping others with my history x x 🌹 leanne Ellington

[@owenmccall632]

Hope you stay safe and well.helping others gives you strength,in my opinion it gives focus and helps you be an example.going in and out of rehab won't work unless there is part of you really wants it.by the way alcohol was my drug of choice.good luck

[@spartypants4872]

This guy featured had his gf lay on the morgue for months begging for money for her funeral. Which he had and spent several times. Apparently

[@kobikob2179]

Yikes

[@Workingclasshero368]

This is so sad - I feel for the Mothers and children, female addicts are way more vulnerable than men, the stigma is half the problem

[@stephenswistchew7720]

SNP you should be ashamed of your party you are allowing this to happen

[@MrMarkhall1]

Drugs are easy to get in prisons,nowadays sadly.

[@Thomas.10]

I've been an addict for years and I dont feel sorry for them. When you choose drugs over your children like some women I know and when you steal money from your parents when they do everything for you, including raising your kids you don't deserve respect. Specially when you was a spoiled child with a happy childhood. I only talk about what I know and people I know.

[@beaulieuc8910]

Agreed, I don't feel sorry for them.I have always kept away from bad company, and I have hobbies that keep me sane. If my friend took drugs I would immediately dump them

[@RubyMarkLindMilly]

On the SNP watch this dreadful

[@chrisucl]

Part of the problem of course, Channel 4, is the media with its constant glamourisation of drugs. In pretty much every show, drugs are treated as a joke, a fun time, something the cool kids and 'rebels' do when having fun or a quick way to make money. The negative effects are never shown, and anyone who opposes drug taking in shows and movies, like parents, police or schoolmates are presented as losers, oppressive, boring, or the bad guys. The moral standards in the TV, film and media industries are sorely lacking. Maybe because most of those who work in the industry also use drugs as recreation.

[@heather-vs9qe]

The cuts...the tax papers money

[@sammysxk5831]

Things used to be simple, the men would get a sense of purpose from being the bread winners and women would find purpose raising the family. There was a Community spirit and a watchful eye to keep people from going off track. There was a shared belief in Christian values, a higher power. Also people had aspirations and positive goals to work towards. Sadly many of these things have been dismantled. Meanwhile the modern left wing have abandoned working class concerns and seem more interested in accelerating globalisation, then to add insult to injury they talk about 'white privilege'. God help these poor people.

[@cassiopeiaAlbascot]

I think that community plays a big part, having that close social engagement with a touch of pressure to stay within that local culture. in areas with multistorey flats it looks and feels like they're packed like sardines, although nobody speaks to one another, too many people around and people's behaviour and respect for one another changes dramatically. People lose their individuality, a local 'role'/ job, and local cultures that's been so valuable in the past. On top of an awful upbringing, psychological issues or no supportive community to conform to or isolate within from such influences, further on top of ready and competitive supply of heroin. Once one engages in that realm of contacts and users i imagine there's 'no going back'.

[@mwa1254]

Community, that sense of being part of something that is bigger than yourself is key to successful recovery. I know this from first hand experience as I’m a member of a 12 step recovery program. It’s called a fellowship for a reason!

[@arcturiansangels123]

Not interested in being part of a right wing community ! That's not a Community that's a cult , if you really care about a community you care for left and right ! You don't pick and choose

[@182britania]

10 years of SNP, roll on independence.

[@barbara1904]

It’s mostly due to poverty. Thanks Westminster!

[@gaz8177]

Cough* SNP

[@aquious953]

The problem is neoliberal globalism