The Blue Plague : Inside Scotland's Drug Epidemic

[@DonnDenisse]

I started taking drugs since my teenage. Got addicted to cocaine for over 8 years. Also suffered severe depression. Not until my wife recommended me to psilocybin mushrooms treatment. Psilocybin honestly saved my life from depression and addiction. Never thought I would be saying this about mushrooms.

[@Evankayden-z7y]

I've done microdosing for help and it works does cut depression out its been the best remedy I've ever had psilocybin been illegal is actually a crime against humanity

[@gefferystones2814]

Hey! Yes very sure of Dr.benshrooms. my first shrooms trip was really awesome. It felt like I was deep into the sea

[@ErnestoHorner88]

Can I find him on insta? How do I reach out 🙏

[@Hison-Dcarman]

was addicted to what i called a trifecta Meth, Opium, Alcohol. I also suffered severe depression i went to a party and consumed about 2 eights of shrooms i was lost in my head for 2 days but when i came back my depression and addiction to my trifecta was gone. I didn't realize it at the time. The psychedelic experience is temporary but many people have good permanent results

[@nicholda436]

My first experience with shrooms cleared my mind and I started seeing the world on a whole new level

[@latchmere100]

The sad reality is that no matter how much drugs you take, you can never escape reality.

[@aimeem8156]

You are not wrong there 😢

[@JaimeGarcia-pe7bj]

This gentleman is taking far too much diazapam.

[@nataliem4029]

Absolutely That’s why my perspective is to try my absolute hardest to create a pleasant reality I don’t want to escape and same for others It’s effort and scary One can feel so lost but then addiction can be the same. A healthy example of escapism from reality is reading fiction books or going on holiday. Sadly the other end of that is harmful stuff like drink, drugs, reckless sex etc. the best thing is trying to get on that track for ones reality to be as pleasant as possible to avoid the drugs that cause so much pain and devastation. Love to all the souls in Glasgow and Scotland struggling with this as living here is scary as hell at times.

[@think-islam-channel]

Reality seems worse after drugs

[@onslowtowers]

Connor who appears around the 4 minute mark is still on the streets by day but looking a hell of lot healthier than he does here for anyone wondering about him - top bloke & extremely intelligent

[@miguelkeeno3403]

But contributes absolutely nothing to society

[@gwainfox]

@@miguelkeeno3403 It's a two way street.

[@20FreeWill]

@@miguelkeeno3403 Society?🤣

[@mistybehave4886]

@@miguelkeeno3403what’s society doing for him ???

[@oldpondfrog788]

Goan

[@phatheffer3439]

I was a valium addict for many years and when I finally decided to go to rehab to get clean it was 9 months of pure hell. Out of all the pharmaceuticals on the planet valium / benzos are one of the hardest beasts to kick. The mental / physical / spiritual withdrawal is hell on earth. I'm amazed I didn't die simply from getting clean.

[@FrostFire1987]

alprazolam, lorazepam, pure weed (no tobacco as i quit) mixed with booze is my problem these days, the physical and mental pain is insane after not taking them for 24 hours

[@Man_fay_the_Bru]

More than 30 of ma pals have died through these

[@phatheffer3439]

@@FrostFire1987 Yep, I was doing the same as you (mixing benzos with alcohol) because I loved the calm feeling that washed over me. But towards the end I was just so miserable and desperate that I knew I had to get clean. The first 5 days can be a real shock to the system because the mind and body is screaming out for more booze / pills. But you eventually become accustomed to the pain and learn to push through it. The hardest part for me was my mood swings and emotional reaction to everything. Some days I would be just walking and burst into tears for no reason at all. But needed to let all of that emotion out to cleanse myself of the madness I'd put myself through. Try and get clean buddy. It will be the best thing you ever do! I now have my own apartment, a good job, a nice car and can sit down at the end of the day and feel content and at peace with myself.

[@phatheffer3439]

@@Man_fay_the_Bru Sorry to hear that. I lost many friends to pills and booze as well. Addiction is a cruel condition.

[@calistayasmin3833]

@@phatheffer3439congratulations on getting clean x

[@stevemac6707]

For anyone who doesn't know, David Harper is himself an ex addict. He at one time used to sleep rough in a high rise, this was obviously many years ago and he has come a long way since then but these are the people who have the best understanding of how to help addicts because they have been there & lived the lifestyle themselves. Qualifications are all well and good but nothing beats experience when you are trying to connect with drug addicts to help them. I know because I was one myself just as David was.

[@johnmcewan-yt4yf]

Spot on 👏

[@jackedkerouac4414]

A friend I went to school with moved back to Scotland and it's sad talking to him. He's unemployed always drunk and high living off his mom even though he's a super talented product designer. He always talks about moving but it's a pipe dream - quite literally.

[@Whywhatwherehowwhen]

Same American family that synthesised/marketed Valium also synthesised/marketed OxyContin. They’ve got a lot to answer for.

[@firstname__lastname]

Thank you for subtitles.

[@bushratbeachbum]

David Harper, the world needs more people like you. Thank you for doing what you're doing and thank you for doing it because you care, because you're educated enough to actually speak on the subject and because you know the system is broken. You're a legend.

[@BSideWasTaken]

We *need* to decriminalise all drugs. We know it works. Then we can move money away from policing drug use into managing drug addiction recovery. It's worked in so many other countries around the world and we need to learn from their lesson.

[@karmoogum]

Name one country where that has worked. The country is too soft, that's the problem.

[@frozenrats]

@@karmoogum Belgium, Estonia, Australia, Mexico, Uruguay, the Netherlands and Portugal

[@CurlyPewbes]

@@frozenrats Mexico is almost a failed country.

[@funnyyellowdog8833]

@@karmoogum The legal status of a drug has little influence on its popularity/prevalence

[@m1000-n8w]

It is not decriminalised at all in Australia, lmao. Don't use us as an example, goofball

[@Dr.SuppMaster]

I’m Italian and i saw myself reading the subtitles, than i realized they made it for English people 😂

[@christopherdaniels6207]

Broad Glaswegian takes some understanding.

[@marioncharleston]

Wit ye siy'in?

[@PaulGlancy-fp7ob]

Wasn't made for English folk either. Another that thinks England is Britain.

[@georginaohara42]

Part of the issue in Glasgow was the criminal justice system- who have criminalised addiction instead of making it a public health crisis - which it is. When someone overdosed & someone present calls the ambulance? The police would automatically attend, warrant check everyone in attendance - including the person who has overdosed & arrest anyone for outstanding warrants. This put people off from calling for help & left many addicts to die unnecessarily because other users were scared to call the authorities. For a time in the 90’s &00’s there was an amnesty on it but I’m not sure their stance on it today.

[@miguelkeeno3403]

It should be law if someone overdoses they are left as other people can’t keep picking up the pieces or this will go on for ever there is help for these people but they are selfish as foook all they do is take from society this is not a free ride

[@JP-et6fj]

Reason police attended those calls was because ambulance staff know those overdose callouts are dangerous, overdosed addicts can become violent when given naloxane. Dyu expect the police that show up to turn a blknd eye to warrants and not do the job their paid to do? Cmon mate, grow up

[@Deadmau5l]

and to top it off the police control all these drugs dont care what anyone says.

[@clf7729]

​@@Deadmau5l😂

[@nellkellino-miller7673]

@@JP-et6fj That may be, but it's not the point. The point is that many overdoses don't get called in because people are afraid of the repercussions. A friend of mine took way too much acid once, and the way the police dealt with it was appalling. My man's having an out of body near death experience, swapping dimensions and timelines, talking to infinite versions of god etc... and the police are treating him like a fucking criminal lunatic.

[@gogadgetgo3125]

It was no joke, even after all these years I still remember the valium withdrawals, I grinned and bared the heroin cold turkey but the other one literally destroyed me. God bless.

[@MomMom4Cubs]

I agree that heroin (NOT fentanyl) withdrawals are like a 4 day orgasm compared to benzo withdrawals!

[@cook9648]

Around 2018/19 I was heavily addicted to street Vallium. I went to my GP with all the empty blister packs and he advised me I was on a suicide mission as I was taking Vallium produced in many different countries and it was only a matter of time before I got a bad pack. He put me on a reduction program with the NHS and I was slowly taken off them via reducing my prescription. It worked for me but imagine many people would abuse it.

[@billyfivefive.]

15 years clean from all substances abuse, understanding that all these horrific stories are the crutch we all use to excuse letting our own lives crumble is the real disaster, finding people a reason to fight for their own lives is a mission no one wants to take on. loosing so many friends and loved ones over the years that's a cross we all have to bear. blame anyone but yourselves just find the will power to put the past where it belongs.

[@sn8wball]

Perfectly said, everyone has the ability to better themselves and that’s all that matters. Let bygones be bygones, the future and what you do with is all that matters

[@BobPharmacon]

Wow, fifteen years of luck considering your choices. Well done, now to make up for the damage caused🐻

[@billyfivefive.]

@@BobPharmacon you don't know me or my choices or the huge changes in my life for the good to judge me, I give every day, what do you do ?

[@BobPharmacon]

@@billyfivefive. I do know your life, choices and journey because, friend, you told everyone in your message. The damage you caused was perpetuating the drugs scene. Do you feel responsible or don't you? Getting cleaning doesn't mop up the mess you made for fifteen years. If you really are scratching your head over this concept, research catharsis. It helped me.🐻

[@billyfivefive.]

@@BobPharmacon Clean 15 years, the worst of my addiction happened over a much shorter period and I brought it to an end with my own will power, so piss off with your poison filled crap, every recovered junkie is a deep well of regrets and you must think your the philosopher stoned, fkn heard it

[@Aphex51]

Ok I grew up in the Highlands in the 90s and have had brushes with drugs. The problem for me as a young man was there was absolutely nothing to do. No cinema, no pool club, no sports. The only thing people did was go the pub. Now drinking doesn't always lead to stronger stuff but in my case it did. As it was the only place to go and socialise you would fall in with the wrong people and the rest is history. Thankfully I managed to go in a different direction in my 20s but I can easily see how people fall into a lifetime of drugs.

[@devanman7920]

Was in Glasgow 2 weeks for work. The drug problem in the city centre is a nowhere near as visible as Dublin

[@NelsonMangandhi]

I've never been addicted to drink and drugs but I stopped on Jan 1st this year and I can say definitely improved my life in every way possible 😊

[@giatasha2181]

When fentanyl hits the mess is gonna be awful

[@oppressing.]

already has

[@leeriches8841]

Not to mention dangerous for those unaware that's what someone has ODd on, touching the tiniest bit can make the good Samaritan OD too.

[@headfullofacid8088]

@@leeriches8841dude that is just not true. You MUST INGEST IT. Please stop spreading that myth. I have a massive amount of experience with opioids on both sides of the addiction spectrum and it’s just not true you can overdose on fentanyl from just touching it. The people who overdose on it, take it. Don’t be fooled

[@PamelaD963]

@@oppressing. really ? I’ve not noticed the same zombie style you see in the USA in Glasgow ….yet

[@HairyKnuckles222]

It never will there is no need for it, it’s to close to the source where it’s made, same as Australia where I live, we are that close to the golden triangle where china white heroin #4 is made. Fentanyl is non existent here practically. And I was a heroin addict for years

[@jonathanhart8570]

The lad at the beginning who said he's got a hold on it...I was that lad not long ago....I was lying to myself...I was lucky I was revived twice...hope he realises🙏🙏

[@jamesstitt1585]

Glasgow has been the same for years and nothing gets done about it 😩 the guy with the blue skip cap on actually used to be a drug counselor one of the nicest people you'll meet 😢 it just shows the power that life style has over you, if you're lucky enough you'll get a shot at rehab and if you're not lucky the end result is a wooden box ⚰️ the amount of people I know growing up who have died due to drug misuse is very sad

[@conkadonk4976]

There is work being done , But it comes down ti the causes of drug and alcohol misuse , Unresolved traumas via shit parenting acts or their habits passed on gen to gen

[@jamesstitt1585]

@@conkadonk4976 there is some work getting done but nowhere near enough all the treatment centers are struggling due to funding same as mental health services they've all been cut and only the most serious of cases are getting seen so if keeps going the way it is then the drugs crisis will be 100x worse 👍

[@conkadonk4976]

@jamesstitt1585 They've never been better funded , But then they ignore the root cause brother , Hope you're well , It is the conky you know lol

[@jamesstitt1585]

@@conkadonk4976 know something I had an idea it was you lol I'm good bro hope you're keeping well yourself 😉👍

[@conkadonk4976]

@jamesstitt1585 LOL am good bud, Stronger every day, Fitness head on again and running hard back to college next month , Glad your good, every year we are breathing is a good year bud 👍🏼

[@lahlah2877]

Insightful and very professional, ty!

[@richardpedley6291]

Iv bin on metherdone for 32years and iv used backlofen it really works pluss I never had restless leg syndrome and I slept every night no shit o and I had 45mg of matazapin at night with my backlofen pluss it's not addictive yes I ratteld felt a bit shit but nout ya carnt handel I dropped 10ml everyweek I was on 60ml now I'm 3weeks clean powering off the shit good luck everyone

[@marcmartin2729]

Proud eh u buddy addition isny easy 👏🏻👌

[@Mr_Makina]

Baclofen is addictive mate. Tells you on the leaflet, not to suddenly stop taking it as it can cause seizures and withdrawals. It has to be tapered down like Gabas or pregabalin. Most GABAergic drugs are physically addictive. it's the reason why I hate it as a 21 year old 55% burn victim. 3 days or longer without it and I feel like doing myself in, the headaches are worse than a migraine and the spewing kicks in on the 3-4th days. It works amazingly for spasms and general nerve damage but the cons start to outweight the pros when you've been on it for nearly like I have. Fair play to you though, takes some willpower to get through that.

[@richardpedley6291]

@@Mr_Makina hi m8 thanks for your reply i never new that thay were adictive the backlofen you mean iv bin on them for years du to a brain injury i had in my erly 30s wich left me with a stroke and paraliced my left side im sorry to here about what happend to you tho i hope you are as best as you can be now tho all the best m8

[@jaycee2815]

Learn to rest , not quit. Read that again.

[@richardpedley6291]

@@jaycee2815 thirs no qwiting in my futer m8 doune it to meny times to old for the shit of bean ill everyday hope your well m8

[@zamiadams4343]

I grew up in Glasgow and valium and smack were everywhere. I was never a user but judging by this video nothing has changed, how very sad.

[@klattalexis]

"Show me who your friends are and I'll show you who you are" - Japanese Proverb. You'll never stay clean/sober if you hang around with those who use. To change yourself - you need to change your friends, after you hit rock bottom.

[@brownwarrior6867]

7:25 There will always be hope for the future where the futures and reality has people like this guy in it. God bless you pal 🙏🏼❤️✝️❤️🙏🏼

[@smujiodome]

I’d love to help these people. I’m sure deep down they are very strong human beings that could maybe help others.

[@ritadonnelly8820]

god love them would love to help them they are lovely people

[@NelsonMangandhi]

Your government are too busy looking after the boat people in 5 star hotels 😄

[@flynnorourke7620]

Thanks Ben for making this production

[@TheNotoriousGhost]

Lived through this in 90 and 2000's. Lost alot of good friends. Still see young ones dying in my area now. Heroin and blues. Mainly wth a spot of alcohol in between ✌️🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿

[@jamieclarkclark756]

GREETINGS FROM ENGLAND 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁥󠁮󠁧󠁿 💯...I LOVE & NEED VALIUM ANXIETY AND GOD KNOWS WHAT. SAD TO SAY MY DOCTOR TOOK ME OFF THEM TO FAST! I BUY OFF INTENET OR STREET

[@KoalaBeer.]

@@jamieclarkclark756my doc gives me 100 Valium’s 😂😂. Scotland stingy on them . Drop em on me methadone Zzzz😊

[@Jim-b6o]

​@@jamieclarkclark756any good sources for moggies 😊

[@lewiswoodlock1675]

Im from just outside Glasgow and the place im from is even worse with the overdoses and drug addictions.

[@leeriches8841]

When it comes to drugs, Scotland is a disgrace. My dad died of Aids complications as a result of Edinburgh closing down safe places for addicts to inject, so they were left with no choice (in their mind) but to share needles. Him, his brother, his cousins- all gone. I will always try to talk those out of taking that- it controls your life. My dad had 5 kids and that wasn't enough, always chasing that first hit that can never be replicated from what I've heard. If you or a loved one get hooked on this- PLEASE get them help. It isn't worth it. He'd be a multiple grandfather now. I grew up without a dad. This isn't fair on anyone. People forget that behind the user is a human being with emotions, some trying to run from past trauma, some trying to escape the awful situation they're in. I live in a very deprived area of my city and there's NOTHING for people to do. Community based initiatives would go a long way. People feel like they don't belong, there's no sense of community.

[@conkadonk4976]

so the whole of scotlands a disgraced cos your da got aids 🤔 likely via injecting wow talk about pass the spliff .....

[@katesanderson3208]

I’m so sorry that happened to your dad and to you.

[@paulyarlett1238]

I am sorry for your loss I never realised how bad the drug problems in Scotland were until recently.

[@conkadonk4976]

@@paulyarlett1238 They aren't

[@leeriches8841]

@@conkadonk4976 get your head out from under that rock, open your eyes and take a look around. Even in the poshest parts of Scotland have drug users.

[@cousinnobody3452]

Heart breaking. And beautifully and sensitively filmed.

[@basedlord]

as an American, the title made me think fentanyl 30s made it to Scotland. I was hella worried for a second

[@ChannelMath]

I think it's mostly addictive for people with anxiety, it's target patient demo, which is a lot of people these days. Those of us with depression (which I think is often a defense against anxiety, at least for me, as I'd rather be depressed than anxious all the time) don't fancy it. Opioids are usually our choice, or stimulants (or both)

[@lmackenzie89]

A really important film. Thank you

[@Yelluz]

I love that the Scottish use the words "cunts" and "people/folk" interchangeably. The funniest people around, can't top Scottish patter.

[@Gardenkeeper_247]

Cunts always bring this up 😅✌🏼

[@oopsydaizi3s824]

We do in Aust as well.

[@mysteryY2K]

patter. what's patter? american here haha. love the linguistic differences between the various branches of English

[@JonMurray]

Great video mate. New subscriber ✌🏻

[@michattac]

Blaming everyone/everything else that guy. I can speak on this subject as I’ve had addictions myself. I justified it by blaming everyone but me! I had to to keep sane. Horrible existence 😢

[@kevindunne6832]

At least you are honest enough to admit you were the one to blame , my ma used to blame my mates for me getting into trouble (screwing shops pubs etc) but I was the one that always had a crow bar stashed told my wee ma it was me that decided to do whatever no one else

[@michattac]

@@kevindunne6832 I was told I got into the wrong crowd! I was the wrong crowd

[@kevindunne6832]

@@michattac I got nicked for nothing when I was almost 16 got 3 month detention centre training ,so came out with a sack of spuds on my shoulder no a chip

[@Valhalla88888]

Police Scotland need to look at how the drugs are getting into Scotland , then tackle the criminals identified, put them in prison, takeaway their assets, foreign and domestic, take a page out of the Garda in ireland , or perhaps the IRA shooting kneecaps?

[@markjenkins3609]

Don't bother helping them. We got asylum seekers that have to be put in hotels and given benefits, top medical attention, and decent housing.

[@D.u.d.e.r]

Excellent vid, thx👍

[@MrShutUpMr]

It’s just a sad time to be apart of. I’ve got friends who have destroyed their lives because of Valium.

[@davechristian7543]

were is it coming from n why isnt England getting them ?

[@Mrmallet777]

Most of it comes from china

[@reevs2153]

​@davechristian7543 they get imported from abroad, India etc, pressed by drug dealers in this country and diverted from legitimate sources. They're in England aswell especially North East but its bigger in Scotland cos its more deprived

[@Mrmallet777]

@@akmilli8179 a weeks not long really need to be on it for longer than a few weeks to get addicted

[@reevs2153]

@@akmilli8179 it'd take doses of about 10 to 20mg a day up to about a month before u need to worry about addiction

[@GhostSquad666]

Thanks Ben bro..

[@jamesl5550]

Brilliantly made. Scotland's been flooded with valium and knockoffs for over a decade now, so its good that attention is being brought to it. Seems the countries less fortunate cannot catch a break, first it was heroin in the 80's - 90's (though obviously that's still a problem) and now this.

[@Idle_Hands]

Wonder if there is an agenda. This is happening across all western countrys

[@giniwelle]

*"I* *like* *to* *live* *in* *a* *society* *where* *there's* *always* *hope..."*

[@windowken]

theres help oot there but most off them would rather go aboot like zombies and sell the shit thats killing there friends and family its no just in Glasgow its all over Scotland and its getting worse i have never took drugs but i have seen friends that have and its not a pretty site

[@stephen_lee10]

Hope is powerful. Truly

[@Danielallanz]

You can't overdose on proper valium on its own,they just stop working.. it would be safer to just make them available legally but then having a benzo habit is risky ,it you stop taking them suddenly its not good..they need to weigh it up on a case by case basis

[@scottthompson5800]

Yes you can.

[@Danielallanz]

@scottthompson58 you really can't.not on their own. you'll need other drugs in your system for them to play a part in overdose..it is why people can swallow handfuls of them and still live,sure you could have accident while downered up but its not an OD ..in the late 70s and early 80s benzos where seen as an alternative to barbiturate prescriptions for the exact reason I am talking about..the thing they didn't count on was the dependency to valium can be crippling

[@rossmitchell4352]

It can occur but is extremely unlikely.

[@RustyBanner]

​@@scottthompson5800you can, but you'd basically have to have over 5 grams of valium to do so. In other words, 500 10mg tablets, and that's without tolerance!!

[@Danielallanz]

@@RustyBannerit's my understanding that death by overdose happens when somebody chokes on vomit and mucus..valium on its own doesn't illicit that biological response,.when you take too much the neurological response just stops happening and it basically stops working..of course its dangerous and potentially life threatening to be in that situation but if we are talking about the mechanism of overdose its not really possable..most people drink or take opiates in such a situation and that will definitely increse the overdose potential of the other drugs (or alcohol poisoning..a term which is basically discribes alcohol overdose but as society went to to great efforts to gentrified it its an hypocrisy we are forced endure lol)...I think the greatest threat valium poses is in its dependacy risk..an addiction to valium is as much a protracted entanglement as methadone (which itself is worse then herion)... in somebody's system..

[@BasedStory]

Awesome Mini doc Ben! Hope to see more soon!

[@kevindunne6832]

You can take a horse to the water but you can,t make it drink, if someone sees their life,s getting so bad get the help that IS available , not all homeless turn to heavy drugs .

[@sandramenzies4401]

A lack of education parental control discipline employment and housing there is nothing for certain communities in Glasgow to be proud of to live for to achieve

[@stephenhollinshead4890]

Out of a population of 7 million 1,300 died from drug use. How many people, over the same period, died as a result of alcohol abuse?

[@MaterLacrymarum]

Why is there always some idiot, on reading about street drug use, wanting to talk about alcohol? It's such a tired argument, and has changed nothing. Have you any idea how boring it is to see? Is this really the best argument you've got to offer? Jesus....

[@headfullofacid8088]

I’d guess the number is far greater

[@MaterLacrymarum]

@emsspacex Alcohol is taxed a lot in the UK. However, there is a little strangeness. For example, a 9% ABV beer will cost £3 a can, but 9% ABV Cider is £1.50 a can due to the fact that Cider is taxed differently.

[@kitharrison8799]

Anyone with an interest in the subject of international drug epidemics should read Johann Hari's excellent book Chasing the Scream. His short 10 minute TED Talk packs more insight into ten minutes than many healthcare professionals, politicians and certainly police officers receive in their entire training.

[@HumansAreShitFactories]

The police are literally the worst. Uninformed, unintelligent, black clad weapon carrying hired bully boy enforcers of the state who are attracted to that ‘job’ as it facilitates them wielding power over people and fucking them up. “It’s the law” they proclaim without a deeper more informed understanding of the situation and its causes. Arrogant egotistical buffoons who are dangerous.

[@micu1544]

7:27 "progressive changes" are what got you there in the first place pal..

[@hecsalinas1971]

If it was not for the subtitles i dont think i would have been able to follow along. Reminded me of when i tried watching trainspotting without subtitles.

[@deborahwingard776]

"I've overdosed 16 times!" WTF?

[@heroiccombatengineer6018]

He's exaggerating

[@jeonlyxoxo]

Reflect on your choices. Why turn to substances rather than navigating life's challenges sober? What is life not providing that you seek in these escapes? Life is about engaging with the world around you. Embrace it without fear; it's not out to get you.

[@Kraken2681994]

Breaks my heart seeing my city like this man 😣☹️ The fact of the matter is, the Police know who distributes these pills. The court system fails the Police with sentencing. There is no deterrent or serious consequences to openly distributing and selling drugs in Glasgow.

[@andrewwotherspoona5722]

Police Scotland are in the back pocket of the criminals.

[@dougwhiley4028]

I'd take drugs if I lived their. I don't think you've imagined what it would be like to be homeless there.

[@andrewwotherspoona5722]

@dougwhiley4028 Do you know how depressing some English cities are?

[@Kraken2681994]

@@dougwhiley4028 a lot of drug addicts in Glasgow arn't homeless, those that are face a challenging and miserable existence, that is why when i see them struggle I do not judge, i do what I can to alleviate their struggle. If the change I spare is invested in smack to alleviate the pain & despair of everyday life I have no grounds to stop anyones sovereign decision. Corruption and lack of action within Glasgow City council, the procurator fiscal and Police Scotland have allowed the same groups to distribute poison in the areas around glasgow for decades now. These groups contributions to the city are a huge part of our peoples affliction. This applies to all walks of life, all manners of substance abuse and at all levels of society. We are a medicated nation. Trust me.

[@dougwhiley4028]

@@andrewwotherspoona5722 no, I don't. I live in Australia. It looks much nicer here. I recently moved to a small town in Tasmania. It's very green and beautiful. But I'm very depressed and lonely. I think one thing you have in Britain is a sense of community. I wish I had that.

[@simonbrown5213]

Great film - well done!

[@leigh7507]

Valium is tricky as you got to up the dose a lot to get the effect. But when you need to quit its physically very challenging

[@Del-Canada]

Now they're Levi's little helpers.

[@Cvf-q2h]

The homeless in Glasgow are homelss by CHOICE. As the accomindation offered to them is refused as they don't let them bring drugs in

[@TheMasterblaster32]

You also forgot to mention hardcore criminals live in these places, revolving door for them and normal homeless folk are attacked stabbed and slashed on a regular basis, so my question to you is would you take the room your offered? I've seen it first hand so I'll answer for you no you wouldn't because i reckon you'd not like being slashed while eating your cornflakes surely.

[@conkadonk4976]

Bullshit

[@conkadonk4976]

And bullshit

[@chriswood4759]

It’s not as simple as that though as the majority of homeless are in this position due to drug abuse. The power of addiction is so strong that they will choose the drugs over shelter. Most addictions stem from some form of trauma or neglect, more needs to be done for people access the mental health services they need

[@leeriches8841]

Most don't let their dogs live with them. Their dogs are with them through good and bad, why should they give up their only constant? I swear if I had the money I'd open a rehabilitation centre where their dogs would be allowed.

[@laurie113]

Valium? Are the drugs called something different in north America?

[@EpicTutorialTips]

Same family of drugs, but in the US it's mostly Xanax, whereas in Scotland it's mostly Valium (because these were prescribed by doctors for ages, and people would always phone up claiming to have lost their bag to get an extra one from the pharma). And once they'd get their bag, they would sell the vallies on the street and use that money to buy what they actually wanted, whether it was some puff or something else. Not too different from how it works in the US where people are given dillies, then they sell them to go buy fetty.

[@JI7NKJ]

Glasgow, the most depressing city in Europe.

[@peppermintpixie9240]

It is what you make it imo 😁

[@nevilebardos5702]

London

[@conkadonk4976]

AWWWWW poor you , Did some weegie lassie break your heart 😅 fud

[@tonymcfadyen8302]

One of the best cities in Europe!

[@Glasgowrangersloyal]

U ever been to dundee 😂

[@mrmagoo.3678]

I "Died" twice overdosing in Glasgow.. "Died" another 3 times down south in England too, been left with brain damage but at least im away from it now.. I hate to see these poor souls left behind struggling on road... it's no life.. I hope they get tf out of it at some point. I don't miss this fk'in life.. 30yrs of this?... Thank fk i got away

[@charmaineshellar255]

Oh please lord help these people that are struggling with drugs in Jesus name amen ..

[@MolloyPolloy]

Well you see there's the problem. Rather than doing anything you've prayed to the invisible man in the sky. Thoughts and prayers do nothing.

[@Baresi-Unico-Capitano]

04:51. The comedy of her blaming the city for her drug taking. Take her to Aruba and she will still go and seek out drugs. Completely detached from the reality of her situation.

[@starskyarsky8374]

Don't take drugs! Fake or real. Pretty simple.

[@tonythetiger1600]

U solved the problem who knew it was that easy u should work with addicts

[@ritadonnelly8820]

omg U have answer😮 why did no one think of that 😮😮

[@starskyarsky8374]

@@ritadonnelly8820 but if you do drugs take the ones that kill you quick!! Then other people that choose not to can live in a better one! 😊

[@davekennedy6315]

The Naloxone anti Opioid overdose injection is an easy thing to administer. It literally comes in a very clear to use syringe and can even be jabbed straight through light clothing and comes with full and very easy to understand instructions. You deliver a dose, wait a while to see if that dose was enough to bring the person round, if not you administer more (with the doses very clearly marked on the side of the syringe) I am an ex Heroin addict myself and keep a Naloxone kit in my car and give them out if i see any of my still using friends to hopefully keep them safe. Its a shame that a similar kit isnt available to help with these Valium/benzo overdoses?

[@RAMSHACKLE28]

Childhood trauma commercialized upon by criminals.

[@Stef23441]

These people wind me up , If you want to get straight you can ! Simple stop taking drugs do your rattle (withdrawal) stay clean and then your good 👍 it’s that simple ! It’s wether you really want to or not so stop blaming this and that cuz that’s easy to do give your heads a wobble and get straight if you really want to and that’s coming from a ex addict btw

[@hamishp6456]

It's a lot more complicated than that, have some compassion

[@Stef23441]

@@hamishp6456 it’s not easy ! Never said it was but if someone really wants to get clean then they can it’s a simple process it’s how much you want to , most addicts don’t because they simply don’t wNt to or can’t be arsed facts I’m a ex addict so I know , do you take drugs or have you ?

[@lucabrasi3964]

Doesn't fix their trauma or problems

[@riseandshine75]

He or she is right. The above has to be and can only be the only starting point. take ownership, take responsibility, make changes, move on. there are many people who have experienced trauma and poor parenting that don’t become addicts.

[@lucabrasi3964]

Getting clean is the easy part, saying clean is the hard bit, you don't know a thing about these people so you shouldn't be so quick to judge

[@MatthewWalkerLothian]

Ben did you make this documentary yourself or is this a re-upload from another channel? If you made this documentary you should continue making many many more, i watch hundreds of vice documentaries and this is on par with their standard, good job if it’s your content, I’ll subscribe and hope to see some more

[@inhumanew4ste457]

beautiful film

[@inhumanew4ste457]

sad but the reality has to be addressed, glaswedians are suffering , dying at the hands of addiction. people need to do more to understand the struggle and the govt help solve this crisis at its core

[@jaycee2815]

Beautiful people, ugly conditions

[@ronnieburgess8060]

Sub well earned Sir. Very well done 👍.

[@Sir_Gerald_Nosehairs.]

Drug use is nearly always a symptom of something else, so we have to ask what is actually going on in Glasgow that this is happening in such a big way? Deaths of despair due to the cultural and economic changes that have happened, like in certain US states suffering an opioid epidemic?

[@GG-wh1gt]

I've moved to Glasgow 15 years ago from Poland. I know British ppl have an opinion about us that we are heavy drinkers but tbh I was and still I'm in shock about drinking and drug culture in Scotland. In Scotland its normal that everyone is drinking, after work, while watching sports, dates, family holidays, family days out like bowling etc there is no activity where is no alcohol involved in your culture and this is shocking especially that this is not just "junkies", this is a norm in academics and successful ppl lifes and when heavy drinking is happening most of the time drugs will be involved too to coop with life.. also GPs very often instead of trying to find the reason of your health problems just prescribe medications, usually very addictive and without warning about that. So if this is a norm for "normal" ppl how guys coming from abusive homes where parents were drug users like in that video can do better? How there is more and more addiction in Glasgow? I'm not sure but for sure one of the reasons is that Scottish kids from very young age can see that alcohol and drugs are the amazing substances which u take when u sad, when u celebrate, when u have had good day, when u want to relax, have fun when u meet with friends or family...also very often getting their first drugs from gp for their anxiety etc instead of counselling..

[@Sir_Gerald_Nosehairs.]

@@GG-wh1gt I'm English, live in Northern England. And we don't have the same problem as Scotland, it's what perplexes me about the whole situation, as there are plenty of parts of England with similar economic and social problems to Glasgow, yet this particular problem seems unique in its severity there. If you live there yourself maybe you're right and it is purely down to the culture there, but as you say Poland has a hard-drinking reputation as does England, but we don't have this issue, at least to this degree.

[@PoorSalopianTommy]

Mad how valium isnt dangerous but becomes so in this situation.

[@peterhalen8237]

Valium is dangerous benzodiazepines are just the hell they destructed lives en causes suicides ( because of the heavy withrawls) its hell believe me better of smoking weed but not for the lung of course ....

[@baileyhallfilms]

really strange that this affecting so many people out there

[@joshb7415]

These people need to be sent to prison for rehabilitation. They have no self control or self preservation left, they need someone to control them for their own good. Letting people like this waste away on the streets... forgotten about, is not the solution.

[@bigp2450]

Ah yes we should punish the addicts! That'll teach them for having genuine problems wont it!

[@joshb7415]

@@bigp2450 it's not punishment, it's rehabilitation

[@bigp2450]

@@joshb7415 The prison system has failed in its task of rehabilitating offenders. These people need medical help, not to be locked away with violent criminals.

[@joshb7415]

@@bigp2450 How do you control an addict without imprisoning them?

[@Jim-b6o]

​@@joshb7415prison doesn't rehabilitate idiot.... Them days are well gone , there's more drugs in there aswell as sky TV . SMH

[@vandomog5971]

Hello. Drug addiction and abuse are not just in Glasgow. Drug issues and abuse are prevalent in every town and city across the world. It's comforting to know that people are more optimistic about their future. However, has anyone ever been to Wolverhampton UK? Drug use and abuse are rife in this city, not just in Glasgow.

[@KinseyReynolds]

The only way to mitigate the use of drugs and the detrimental effects they cause on individuals and society as a whole is to have harsh drug laws that are actually enforced by the state. If you look at Singapore or much of east Asia you will find few to no drug user for that very reason

[@ryanwatterson4038]

@@KinseyReynolds killing people and jailing everybody for life sentances just moves the problem elsewhere The jails are the worst for drug addiction too.. Theres nothing else to do but take drugs in there its absolutely rife

[@daylemackintosh9966]

Lost my good pal liam to they pills worst thing is he never took tablets until he got jailed got a 5 for a gun and coke and never came home pills killed him proper gutting rip Liam Mcaig brother

[@leehawkins616]

Sadly I don't think you can ever solve a drug crisis whilst people are still homeless. Solve that problem first and you have a chance of solving the drugs issue.

[@Jemzedmusic]

Valium is probably one of the most fun drugs I have ever taken, especially the fake ones that make you black out and start acting outrageously, I'd highly recommend it and if you wake up and everyone is hating on you just remember you're a rockstar and you don't have to listen to other people's opinions.

[@CFox.7]

What have they go to live for ?

[@theinngu5560]

There needs to be a massive crackdown on supply ..worldwide. If people can’t get drugs, they can’t get addicted.

[@scorebagmuncher7670]

Thinking like this is the exact reason we have this problem.

[@conkadonk4976]

PROHIBITION doesn't work , It's been tried and tested and failed , Hence why we have booze sold legally

[@gary_248]

There’s been mind altering substances since day dot. Crackdowns won’t alter that. If people want to use drugs then let them. They know the consequences

[@Motormikey]

They're being manufactured in factories all over the world, in different countries. There's no way it'll ever be stopped. It'll a multi, multi billion dollar industry.

[@jetsetjourneysofficial]

2:45 these pavement sitters aren't homeless

[@thehitman1980]

Sturgeon and the snp caused all of this

[@conkadonk4976]

HOW ? 😂 did they travel back to the 8os and flood our schemes with heroin ? 😂😂😂 Fkn weapon

[@thehitman1980]

@@conkadonk4976 it's not heroin that's caused it tho is it 😂😂😂 fkn weapon

[@conkadonk4976]

@thehitman1980 Tory policy in the 80s did though 😑 was a problem before the snp or holyrood , Yet 🙄

[@thehitman1980]

@@conkadonk4976 the tartan Tory's caused the drugs death crisis no one else

[@z0n0ph0ne]

Utter sh1te and an out and out lie.

[@yaniswashington8828]

This is clearly a different generation…Glasgow has improved now tho 😂

[@kevinhall3321]

No it hasn't

[@deant6361]

Good luck everyone recovery rules it’s possible ❤❤

[@annettegifkins-xl8ul]

I believe all this isn't by accident

[@20FreeWill]

To an extent, but nobody forces these people to take drugs I was in a make or break situation 20 years ago, I'm 38. I had a couple different groups of friends . I used to take ecstasy with one group if friends, then after a year or so, at like 3am one would disappear from the party and come back with the foil (heroin) and they would smoke it, after this happened 2 weeks in a row I stopped hanging around with them, now most of them are dead and the ones who are alive are a MESS. 2 of them died in the same weekend from street valium, their lives were destroyed by drugs , they all started stabbing each other an shit , some were murdered , some died of drugs, I think out of about 8 of them and maybe 3 are alive today, one is doin okay actually but he was younger than the rest and was only on the fringes , the 2 who were the same age as me are an absolute mess

[@annettegifkins-xl8ul]

@emsspacex no, not at all. I think they push and promote drug use. They do it inadvertently, but nonetheless, I think they are fully on board with the genocide of the people of these cities

[@annettegifkins-xl8ul]

@emsspacex help would be so easy I could do It with enough money and resources, I would use clued up ex addicts and compassion to give these very lovely people' the time to heal without the stigma of being accused of being "scum" or the low life's of society, tbh the addicted are normally the most switched on people because they are medicating for a pain that most couldn't even begin to comprehend

[@annettegifkins-xl8ul]

@emsspacex The crap they have in place now is just about stitching the person up. For example, in my local area, the NHS works hand in hand with social services and the drug and alcohol people, you have to sign a waver to get any so-called help when all they do is put pressure on genuine families in need. Now myself I had issues but I always cared for my children but as soon as the state got wind of any problems they very quickly made me out to be a bad person, it's not right to call abuse support in my eyes.

[@cnacks4835]

I feel for them. I got of the streets just. Month and a half ago. Spent the last 2 years sleeping on the sidewalk shooting fentanyl and meth. I lost a lot of friends on the streets. We die John does alone and are forgotten. I've been sober since. RIP to all the fellow addicts we lost. No one understands our disease

[@Pazuzu82]

I have to say that out of all the drugs that I have tried (including alcohol) benzos were definitely king of the worst withdrawal symptoms more than the rest when quitting them, I actually thought at one point that I was gonna end up in a psychiatric ward because of the insane withdrawals that I was getting, it is without a doubt the most scariest thing that I have ever been through and I really pity all those other addicts who are still in that dark place coz i know what its like and I understand if they are too scared to come off of them or whatever, I just reached a point where I hit rock bottom bad and eventually I just said fuck it! I need to change my ways! Being sober again is great! Don't get me wrong the journey getting off stuff was definitely the most hardest thing that ive ever done in my life but it was definitely the most rewarding aswel!

[@JohnDuffy-bq8wg]

Yes I had terribly real hallucinations cramps 11 days without food water or sleep and ended up in casualty and was seen by a psychiatric doctor who explained to me I was having severe withdrawal symtems and he was shocked my doctor had just decided to stop prescription after over 20 years, he told me to go back to doctor and insist I was slowly reduced over a t least a year or two, I did go and the doctor just said no so I had no choice but to go online and try to cut down myself, this approach by the NHS for what THEY prescribed to me is shamefull, neglectful and probably criminal as they have a duty of care, I never asked to be put on these decades ago I was just having anxiety due to a lot of personal issues

[@Pazuzu82]

​@JohnDuffy-bq8wg yeah I know what you mean, I hate hearing these stories where the doctor just suddenly stops your meds that is crazy like, and they wonder why we go to dealers! Pisses me off like!@

[@jasonthompson5324]

I’d like to know if anyone has info or has had it happen to them

[@Englshman1970]

No one forces them down their throats . Life isnt easy some battle on and some choose to hide behind drugs

[@ricknaughty1016]

When the person was explaing the dangers if mixing things and the things he was mentioning i was thinking to myself 'ye and the rest" just mixing heroin and pregabalin is bad enough your heart can stop with just those two

[@desdicadoric]

I always think the drugs deaths are highest in Scotland because it’s such a f679ing depressing place to live, expensive, crap weather, everyone with a chip on their shoulder. And yes I live here

[@jonny5TV]

@desdicadoric. Adam regular walks and a healthy diet might help u feel better mate.losing weight really helps your mind

[@ryanwatterson4038]

Here you are, moaning about the very thing you are doing, listing problems just for the sake of it... Force your own perspective to be better, focus on whats good for your own life

[@doobydootoo]

You live there. But are you from there? Big difference

[@Mr.Guild1971]

Whats Pregablin?

[@theinngu5560]

I think as the situation is so bad there needs to be very drastic measures taken ..the Taliban actually get the drug addicts off the streets and put them through a tough cold turkey programme ..perhaps one of the very few reasonable things they do do. At least it saves lives and then there presumably needs to be an after release programme. Perhaps tge political parties could prioritise this over the desire and campaigns for independence.

[@theinngu5560]

See the documentary re drugs in Afghanistan and note how many drug users or ex addicts in the comments actually praise the hard measures as the ones most likely to work. Hoping this form of human misery can be eradicated.

[@beadlesmhankyfist2274]

The same government who just spunked £60k on a nice wee tennis court in kelvingrove park while the rest of the city is overrun with vermin and there are people on the street. Fuckin priorities here

[@Mr_Makina]

Cold turkey is a horrible treatment to use and is actually life threatening. I wouldn't be taking tips from a religious group, considering they like to pick and choose facts on their own basis. What I'd prefer to see done is full legalisation of all drugs and drugs with severe addiction potential be given out in a regulated manner to those who already consume it. Methadone is clearly a failed program, as many in my area who I see at the chemist when picking up my burn medication, can be seen the next day absolutely smacked out their faces on an illegal substance. Drug use, won't just go away with your/the talibans idea. America couldn't stop prohibition and speakeasys ran a mock throughout America supplying alcohol. If you can legalise drugs, you squash the black market, capture the revenue and taxes, then put it into other services without worrying when the next addict will drop from a dodgy chemical, as you've supplied the actual drug to pharmaceutical standards. Its like MDMA. Its actually rare to die from MDMA itself, you're more likely to die horse riding than taking MDMA. Factors like liver defects, dehydration, over heating or the closely related chemical "PMA". Why make the situation worse, when you can actually provide a trusted, tried and proven method. The UK already supply's Switzerland heroin for its drug program, with that program deaths and HIV dropped upto 50%. Better mental health services are also needed, as mental health also plays a massive role in addiction. There's been a few studies with rats and mice, that showed the ones in the cage with nothing to do, tended to drink the water with cocaine, rather than the mice/rats who had tubes, run wheels and other things to keep them occupied. You can't exactly compare mice to people but I've known a few folk who smoked hash and then cut down or stopped altogether when the had a full time job. Pee tests weren't the reason why the stopped either.

[@mjones9708]

@@theinngu5560 the thing is the Taliban dont care how many they kill putting them through the harsh detox and they weren't bothered that they didn't have enough food and were starving them not a good model to follow

[@conkadonk4976]

😂😂😂 you do get that UK control drug policies in Scotland? The only way to change that is , Independence 😊 only the stupid and policitically inept think like you do .

[@Whywhatwherehowwhen]

I’ve been stuck on prescription diazepam for 5 years because it’s the only thing that works for a neurological disorder I’ve got. I’m desperate to get off it because the withdrawal between doses is horrendous. Once I start lowering the doses all hell breaks loose. Wish I’d never seen the stuff. Completely trapped now.

[@knightbrucie]

I had a prescription for this for a neurological disorder too. It was sheer hell the nightmares were so bad I didn't even know if I was awake or asleep half the time. I weaned off and it still took 2 years for the effects to subside. Who the hell does this drug even help? My GP gave it out so easily.

[@Campcrystal1]

Take it very slow in coming down.... Its not a race to get off it that's what will make u suffer more. And whatever you do don't go cold turkey no matter what your told by rehabs TAKE YOUR TIME DO IT WITH YOUR DOCTOR BLESS You I've been there

[@ryanwatterson4038]

Takes months and years of weaning the dose down slowly.. I wish you all the strength you can muster to do it

[@stella-vu8vh]

Switch to bromazepam and you won't have so many issues even if u only use bromaz once weekly. It'll carry u over. Otherwise mate you need to try the liquid versions of valium so you can bring urself down as u need. I personally wouldnt if i was u. The condition u have unmanaged may be worth it compared to life on benzos. Only u can choose. Godspeed

[@Whywhatwherehowwhen]

@@knightbrucie it’s very effective for short term problems like epileptics that are having a seizure and for people having an acute mental health crisis but should never be prescribed on a long term basis.

[@TheCainabis]

This is why Scotland needs independence, they are a leach on our side! The sooner we part the better…

[@David-qk7lc]

😂😅😂😅😂 seriously 🙄

[@dannym5345]

I'm from easterhouse in Glasgow you're talking shit mate Scotland is broke it couldn't pay all the bru money for the unimployed

[@doobydootoo]

You do know that the biggest source of drugs coming in to Scotland and destroying it is England? Mainly Liverpool. Have a look closer to home ya f tool

[@doobydootoo]

England is a leach on Scotlands side

[@bobhill9845]

Didnt the current English government just let the British economy nosedive into inflation hell?

[@KptnBlowFly]

My best friend from childhood and youth died with age 46 years after almost 30 years of addiction. It was a mix of pills, Alkohol and heroin.