Scottish Government Debate: The National Drugs Mission: Taking Concrete Action to Tackle Stigma

That the Parliament acknowledges that stigma prevents people from seeking the help and support that they need and that using language that de-humanises people is harmful; recognises that tackling stigma is everyone’s responsibility and that the existence of stigma diminishes all communities as it creates unreasonable and unnecessary barriers for people in all aspects of their lives; agrees that problem drug use is a health issue and that people who experience it deserve parity of treatment as with any other long-term, life-affecting health condition; believes that every individual’s experience of recovery is unique and should not be stigmatised, and that people with experience of problem drug use and their families should be treated with dignity, respect and equity; recognises that treating substance dependence as if it were included as part of the protected characteristic of disability, would contribute to a more fair and just society; supports strengthening the meaningful involvement of people with experience of problem drug use in their local communities and wider society in the development and implementation of policy; calls on all MSPs to lead by example in challenging the stigma of people who use drugs and their families, and welcomes the planned publication by the Scottish Government of a Stigma Action Plan, which should embed these principles and drive action on the stated commitments.