Scotland's drug deaths crisis: saving lives with an 'illegal' injection van

Peter Krykant, who operates a van in Glasgow where people can safely take illegal drugs, is running for Holyrood as part of a campaign calling for the Scottish government to establish legal sites.
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A former heroin addict, he is pushing for drug reform in Scotland, which has a reported drug deaths rate 15 times higher than the European average. "People are dying out there,' says Krykant, who is able to treat addicts who overdose in his van. Could interventions such as his change Scotland's status as Europe's drug deaths capital?
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#Heroin #Drugs #Scotland #DrugDeaths #Addiction #InjectionVan

[@theGuardian]

Read more from Peter about his work here ► www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2021/apr/30/uk-first-drug-consumption-van

[@hross3782]

How about you report the fact that Westminster controls drug laws in Scotland and proposals have been put forward but Westminster and the Conservatives don't care. Also why don't you mention the fact that Scotlands drug reports which written by Westminster are different from the EU and the rest of the UK.

[@stevenwright4073]

@@hross3782 The British government holds firm on the now 50-year-old Misuse of Drugs Act, which is no longer fit for purpose. The SCOTTISH government cut budgets in 2016 after record deaths in 2015, leading to the largest increase in deaths in a single year when a 27% annual increase was recorded between 2017 and 2018.

[@leegrant5758]

Peter, went to school with you, played football with you at the BP. Just getting in recovery myself after 20+ years. Love the work you are doing mate. Would love to meet up with you again one. You were always a sound guy. Hope you are well mate would love to help you in some way

[@daggerdan12]

Peter Krykant is an absolute hero. I hope one day we no longer need his help but we can recognise him for the upstanding guy he is.

[@captainflint89]

he relapsed in his own van , the stress was too much ... i see him at meetings , he will try again relapse is part of fecovery if you make it back into the meetings NA forever

[@reuse_or_die]

Im a retired mental health professional. This is the way. It's a start. What a hero❤️ In countries where total decriminalisation and addiction support exist, drug use drops dramatically and drug related crime disappeares almost completely.

[@9856359]

Can confirm that as a portuguese.

[@auntyshagufta8974]

I agree this guy is the start we need to go in the right direction as an addict myself people like this bloke going against the law to make sure even if its just one person doesn’t OD or miss a vein or get an infection means the government needs to take notice

[@user-bo3mp8un6c]

Too bad this was shut down by the UK government

[@scottjohnstone6204]

@@user-bo3mp8un6c Bunch of criminals. Look into professor David Nutt - he was the governments lead drugs policy advisor, he advised to decriminalize and he was sacked!

[@ianmcdonald1538]

SNP want to follow the examples set by Swiss & Portugese.but Westminster put the blockers on it. I wonder why??

[@thesteadfastangler6724]

The greatest thing we can do as humans is be of service to others. Hats off to you Mr. Krykant, keep moving forward.

[@thomasdelaney4984]

Do you know that Mr Krykant was also using drugs with the very same people he was pretending to help during this interview?

[@thesteadfastangler6724]

what kind of drugs@@thomasdelaney4984

[@nikonfan2407]

I know Peter personally and every word he speaks here is the truth. He is an absolute legend and I would vote for him if I were in his constituency. I would implore everyone who can vote for him to do so. We need positive change!

[@courtneycalderon3655]

Tell him we say thank you

[@reuse_or_die]

@@courtneycalderon3655 snap ❤️

[@trish.goes.ironman]

Send him our Thanks 👍🏽👏🏽✊🏽 More power to him!

[@jamiecurran3544]

The guy's a Saint for the service he provides!😇✌️

[@jebbo-c1l]

if it works which experience from other countries suggest it does, it would be immoral not to try the idea

[@calebearly6591]

This man Is a legend, he should make a website so people can donate to the service.

[@TJRJ158]

Why would u donate to someone who is giving people drugs

[@mq1988]

@@TJRJ158 he's not giving people drugs did you watch the video

[@JETJOOBOY]

@@TJRJ158 people like you.... Hold everybody back

[@trish.goes.ironman]

@@TJRJ158 It's people like you who are making things worse. Your lack of understanding to other human being is disgusting!

[@herbsmanherbs]

He set up a gofundme but it got shut down as it was considered to be 'promoting or facilitating illegal activity' or something to that effect.

[@therealKINDLE]

*"Ask not why the addiction...* *Why the PAIN?"* ~ Gabor Mate

[@Saka_Mulia]

Decriminalise, legalise, sell and use the tax to increase health spending. Why is this so hard for people!?

[@tanjimpurno2560]

The biggest argument against your proposal is that it may pave the road for something more dangerous. For example: when the prohibition was banned in the US, people started to look for things that are more addictive than alcohol. And years later that led the country towards the opioid epidemic.

[@reuse_or_die]

@@tanjimpurno2560 in 100% of case studies where decriminalisation is mixed with addiction treatment, drug use and drug related crime drops dramatically. Not a little. A lot. Your analogy is not comparable because there's always been poor living conditions... that's the root of addiction, not the legality of supply. Whilst illegality continues, it exacerbates the problem and allows criminals to control supply and make slaves of vulnerable people

[@paolom.6011]

@@tanjimpurno2560 Prohibition didn't cause the opioid crisis you maniac.

[@MarkJVSomers]

@@tanjimpurno2560 Not true. During prohibition people went for harder stuff alcohol-wise, and the sale of whisky went up while beer went down. After prohibition this got reversed. Then drugs became illegal and the same started happening there. Because selling harder stuff is easier and makes a lot more money, that's where the trade went. Legalising drugs will see the same happening, as is already happening in the countries that are doing it: people use less potent stuff when it's legal to buy it.

[@milanimorales2645]

I think a lot of industries would suffer. They already are suffering. You need sober people to run machinery and drive trucks.

[@helenasheels2265]

It’s clear that politics needs less politicians and more guys like this

[@changewaysthroughhorsescic]

Very inspiring, treating people with dignity and respect. Addiction is a result of trauma and a best attempt to soothe the pain of those experiences.

[@SMX815]

Very true

[@stephennugent9958]

In Ireland there's been a motion of having Medically Supervised Injection Centres yet there's currently 90 of these in Europe, Canada & Australia.

[@PANDA-mi7lh]

You have to give this guy props for doing this not alot of people care for these addicts he must of saved quite a few lives👏 worlds a better place with people like you around thank you for helping the needing

[@conormorgan3040]

Altruism in its purest form, what a legend. really morbid that we rely have to rely on volunteers to provide such an important service.

[@biochemlife]

Decriminalisation addiction, it is a sickness not a crime!

[@isaacabodunrin7834]

Exactly. We need more people to understand this so that we can start treating addiction as the public health issue that it is

[@scottjohnstone6204]

@@isaacabodunrin7834 You lads sound like my inner voice! Why can't we do it? Because the criminals in power control us using these things, and they are involved in smuggling and making trillions off the books.

[@courtneycalderon3655]

Scottish people please support mr. krykant omg sir, continue doing this amazing work it’s not easy or profitable but it is necessary and you do save real lives.

[@OurDearLeader]

Naw.

[@Cajkelfa]

Aye

[@OurDearLeader]

@@Cajkelfa Naw. We don't want van loads of junkies having a hit in our streets.

[@Cajkelfa]

@@OurDearLeader naw yer correct anyways enjoy 55 😉

[@OurDearLeader]

@@Cajkelfa Thanks Jack🥳

[@mucha9196]

It’s safe to say drugs have won the war on drugs smfh

[@christianlarson4201]

There never really was a war on drugs. Just a war on drug users.

[@stephenthompson8083]

Mad respect to this dude. As a medical cannabis user that has been discriminated against and detained by the PSNI multiple times, had my GP taken away from me and banned from Riverfront medical (NI) for asking for an emergency appointment I somewhat understand the struggles these people go through. I also know how difficult it can be to deal with the police etc. If this guy gets touched by the police I’d say there will be big trouble. Keep doing what your doing dude no matter the consequence. At the end of the day your saving lives and keeping folks safer.

[@solcutta3661]

Riverfront medical... Dont say where if I'm wrong but that's not spalding u on about?

[@ciaranglobel784]

Absolute hero

[@margaretcampbell2681]

Why doesn’t Glasgow have a safe injection room

[@alboy4]

One day Peter will be heralded in Scotland. Proud of you dude. ✊🏻🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿

[@alboy4]

You have my deepest respect.

[@jimnaz87jd]

Not all heroes wear capes

[@the_original_Bilb_Ono]

It makes no sense to punish the tax payers to pay for punishing someone via jail who is only hurting themselves. How about we scrap that idea and instead HELP the people?

[@ashleyyyy314]

Is there way we can donate to this incredible selfless man?

[@jabz2472]

What can we do to support this man?

[@scottyd2262]

This is a real human.. I wish that l had his emotional strength to get to know these people on a personal level, then to know that they died, then keep on going on. That would be too much for me to handle. Most people on drugs have gone through something bad in their life, so they start self medicating. If you know.. You know...

[@solcutta3661]

Most are no different to u, not looking for aggro. Have a laugh. And wont put their hand in ur pocket to Rob u.

[@berndmayer1765]

@@solcutta3661 Yes true. But some get so desperate only the drugs count. Ive seen and been robbed while out on a OD. There is no real friends in these circles, not one. Fuggin Government laws 💀

[@whoatemywendys]

If I was living in Scotland he’d have my vote

[@fred7flinstone]

I’d vote for this guy.

[@chrisgreen6259]

What a hero.

[@davidcraigie8585]

Peter I have seen a few of ur videos it's just to say your doing a BRILLIANT JOB ... I heard you overlapsed lately I hope u get better soon and get bk out on your van to help people ...

[@tracymorton2178]

This is the first time I have ever seen something like this I am not a drug user but this makes sense and then there are no needles in the streets these people are human beings they need proper help and this is more safe for people who don’t use drugs aswell this should be done on a bigger scale but what a brilliant man for doing this amazing

[@paulmcduff1930]

What a hero this guy is 👍 edit the empathy this man shows at the end is unbelievable .

[@PatchedThePipe]

This guys a saint

[@mattpike1771]

Can we donate to this guy?

[@DapperDavid]

The Scottish government actually tried to open a center, which was blocked by Westminster and Boris...

[@DapperDavid]

@The Jakob Hallett Nerve Centre let's see how this pans out 😏

[@lauraandrew7440]

Yup. Hard not to blame Westminster when they keep blocking the things we try to do.

[@TheWendable]

@@lauraandrew7440 👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻

[@mike2462]

Its so heart warming to see a man with so much love and care for other human beings. Something sadly lacking in todays world. Peter is a wonderful man.

[@Kms13896]

What a fantastic guy, saving lives..

[@franksmith4863]

More power to you

[@shaunkenny22]

Respect brother ✊🏻

[@tysonjnr7849]

Well done mate

[@deeppurple883]

This guy is the type of human that knows his stuff. He's from the street so he knows the heart, soul, and mind and their needs as human beings. Total respect, radical fresh eye's from a old timer,i mean that with respect and a badge of a surviver that's giving back. Listen to his wisdom. 👊☘️🇮🇪

[@kyrstmitch7614]

We need a Peter in Dundee ❤ keep up the amazing work bud, your honestly a hero and really are making such a difference to people's lives. You see how much it hits home doing this and to still go what a soldier my heart goes out to you 💗❤

[@kyrstmitch7614]

@user-sn7ff6bz4f it was drug death capital or Europe 4 years running x

[@rachelcrompton1867]

You have to worry about the pressure on this lovely man. I hope he is doing well.

[@jh9667]

We need to decriminalise narcotics. All prohibition ever does is enrich criminal enterprises.

[@MarcelaElviraTimis]

They want the legal cartels like Purdue to have a protected income base...

[@SnowWhite717_]

I hope he’s doing ok… the vlog at the end just broke my heart. He really deserves help from the government for what he’s doing.

[@jynx1992]

So just a question as I know very little on the subject. Can you get clean needles from doctor surgeries/hospitals/other health services that don’t specialise in drug use??

[@c1trappy138]

Na not if you have drug experience

[@trishadick3786]

Nicola Sturgeon is in no way ,to blame for the junkies in Glasgow . They have been here since the late 70s , but in the 80s it was like an explosion in Scotland , and got worse as the decades went on , 40yrs of junkies , under unionism , only in the last 10yrs has Scotland saw any real y improvement . But it was smuggled in to Scotland Via England and all others are brought in like that still , Nicola has only been the party leader for six years . So she is the last person in any go that's to blame

[@lauraandrew7440]

Aye but if you actually read the truth it makes it harder to blame the SNP for everything that happens in Scotland.

[@trishadick3786]

@@lauraandrew7440 because we have less power in our own country and the vital decisions that are taken by another countries elected gov on our behalf are not always what is best for all in Scotland , but always decided by what is best for their own country first.

[@truth-hurts3089]

What a great guy. Hope the young lass is ok

[@karlashdown5228]

When people care to much it usually is quite detrimental to their own health mentally. Sadly honest politicians are hard to come by even when they enter politics with the best of intentions & the more honest they are the more they are shunned & pushed aside by the worst & generally more powerful among their piers. This guy is really doing & giving everything to help people most won't even give the time of day, i hope he succeeds & can bring some light to the issue & some reasoned responses not the ignore it & it will go away attitude prevalent in today's society.

[@mcc1452]

Peter shouldn't be taking all this on his own. Central government should be providing more support to people who are unwell. Far too much for one guy to handle. Respect Peter. X.

[@titotarantula9294]

Mr. Krykant U R my Superhero!!!

[@elerifarrow9199]

Amazing work Peter 🙏🏻🙏🏻Thank you keep going xx

[@davidmcleod1028]

What a hero doing vital work, if only people would seriously think about his arguments they would see how his aproach would save lives.

[@halejandrohd2955]

This guy should start his own party I reckon he’d get a lot of support

[@gillramsay1112]

This just makes complete sense and wish the government would have the courage to help him and the people in need 😔

[@user-td4gd5zz6p]

That lassie described her parents as junkies? That word is a bad word & especially as shes talking about her parents. ADDICTS MISS not junkies!

[@widescreen8964]

Portugal should be the model

[@BarryHWhite]

No... Scotland should have been the model.

[@Animal-Reaction-Clips]

This guy needs crowd funding

[@TJRJ158]

He’s giving drugs to people why would u raise money for that

[@nimaxx]

no, he needs states fundings = tax money to do his job.

[@herbsmanherbs]

He tried but the site shut his page down for 'enabling illegal activity' or something to that effect.

[@herbsmanherbs]

@@TJRJ158 no, he's providing a safe clinical space to reduce the risk of overdose and infection for people who use drugs, and to dispose of the paraphernalia properly, and to facilitate access to treatment and recovery options. If he was supplying drugs he would have been arrested on the first day that he started the service. Needless to say, The people who use the service get their drugs elsewhere

[@chrismcauley8158]

Everybody is addicted to something

[@Just.a.person59]

Does he have patron?

[@CannabisIsMedicineUK]

What an absolute hero ..

[@neilbrie8972]

I'm anti-drug , but I know that criminalising drugs will not solve the issue. We need to decriminalised the drugs, and create a budget to help people get out of their addiction. ( the money used against the drugs 'war is wasted because it doesn't work.

[@flynn8783]

What a hero

[@foursec1443]

Such a great guy

[@k0185123]

wow. Amazing.....

[@jayman7752]

Question - if the anti-overdose drug has to be injected - isn’t it difficult to find a vein with IV drug users?

[@fotorabia]

It isnt. It can used as a nasal spray

[@jayman7752]

@@fotorabia Narcan is the spray. The fella said this one was an injection. Maybe he just mispoke.

[@BarryHWhite]

U pop it in the muscle, its called noloxone. I was trained in its use 5 years ago

[@jayman7752]

@@BarryHWhite ah ok. Thank you.

[@Iamsamg911]

Used to work with Peter, top bloke

[@beakytwitch7905]

Ouch !

[@markhurter5260]

Anyone knows how he and the organization is doing

[@rhiannoncameron7165]

Sobbing watching this 😢 people need to realise this is what needs to happen!! More places like this are required. Scotlands drug problems are shameful, it shouldn’t be like this. Well done Peter, what a hero.

[@lewismontgomery4652]

Absolute legend

[@KonstantBillsAivisuals]

Real super hero. 💪

[@Saberbeatsvr]

Bring a whole new meaning to curb side shootings!

[@randomvidz1306]

This man should work in Scottish government great guy.

[@ruebarrow1668]

I thought this was going to be something else entirely by the way they promoted the video in their post :/ Pleasantly surprised though

[@stevenmcdermott6565]

Peters a utter hero …. They don’t all wear capes….just don’t hope it’s all in vain but knowing the government…..🤷‍♂️🙏

[@meakledavison4016]

Nobody forces down there throats....😂

[@readingandrighting8178]

Inspiring yet heartbreaking, gwan yerself man

[@mandyhart9441]

Wow! He's an angel isn't he, y is he not getting a wage??

[@juliemorgan-rose1446]

Big up to you mate

[@StrawberrySunday212]

Is Peter still doing this, does anyone know?

[@livpeake8108]

i need an update

[@johntait491]

Where's Nicola and the caring, sharing SNP on this..? Hiding in Hollyrood probably. Why don't they care..? This man is an exceptional volunteer who needs support.

[@angusstewart6237]

Most drugs flood into Scotland by the two rail links the one ferry and the three airports and two main roads surely if these points of entry were targeted by drug enforcement the problem would be greatly reduced, bring on independence

[@wadyamean4464]

This guy should be praised

[@user-ru5xz3lz9c]

Noble job 👍

[@paulgray2883]

I'm sure i know him. am from maddiston to. he's a bit older than me but am sure that's the peter krykant that stayed in maddiston

[@Whenisitenough]

Thank you for every thing you do

[@JM-ij7om]

Dundee. This is the city whiuch has the biggest drug problem in the U.K and the biggest number of drug-related deaths in Europe. It is, also, the place that has the strongest support for the SNP. Interesting, isn't it?

[@micu1544]

Guardian perspective: lets help you inject that poison properly so you dont get an infection.

[@tonykennedy8592]

Or recognise the "tough on drugs' approach failed. And instead giving people a better chance to survive long enough to want change

[@melissabyrne8749]

Fairplay to this man

[@Sabhail_ar_Alba]

The vile Sturgeon has blood in her hands for cutting £250 m from the budget and shutting down treatment centres (the root of the problem).

[@TheWendable]

👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻

[@DrumToTheBassWoop]

This guy needs to start a Patreon, and a daily KZbin awareness update. Hopefully that could cover some expenses. 😐

[@nonypomina7165]

these actions dont need a patreon page, they need political fundings; it is states duty to focus taxes on people problems.

[@dansumsion9904]

very interesting and exciting bloke

[@frankboal6975]

Hero

[@gamezze1]

By eck the woman at 3:40 has such a thick accent I cant understand a word she says

[@christopherlangton5596]

He will never receive a Knighthood because all he us doing is helping the poor.

[@davidhill8738]

If only there was a million of you, what a better world it would be 🙏

[@becky2235]

Absolutely amazing more of this we need in the u.k.!