Over two imprisoned individuals monthly consume a powerful blend of illicit substances

In Scotland's prisons, a troubling trend has emerged, with the latest Scottish Prisoners Survey revealing that over one-third (35%) of inmates admit to using illegal drugs - an increase from 29% in 2019. This alarming statistic has raised serious concerns about the scale of the drugs crisis in the country's prison estate.

The use of illicit substances such as synthetic cannabinoids, benzodiazepines, and opioids has become common among prisoners. Inmates have been found to use these drugs in various ways, including putting them into vapes, mixing them into hot drinks, or injecting them.

The Scottish Prison Service (SPS) has admitted to administering the overdose antidote medication Naloxone to 53 prisoners, underscoring the severity of the problem. To combat this, the SPS has expanded naloxone training for all operational staff since June 2023. Moreover, 'Peer Champions' are training other inmates to administer naloxone across ten prisons, aiming to equip them with the tools to save lives.

However, the drugs issue in prisons is not just about supply and treatment. Organized crime groups are reportedly targeting addicts within the prison estate, using drones to deliver drugs and needles. This dangerous practice has led to more than two prisoners every month in the last two years requiring life-saving antidotes due to drug overdoses.

Annie Wells, a Scottish Tory, has expressed her concern, stating that overdoses should not be happening in prisons in the first place. The SPS, however, emphasises its commitment to the health and wellbeing of those in their care, working to tackle substance supply, safeguard individuals, and support recovery journeys.

In a proactive move, the Scottish Drugs Forum has suggested providing free needles and vapes to prisoners for safer drug use. The organization responsible for training liable individuals in the use of the overdose antidote Naloxone in Scotland since June 2023 remains unclear from the provided search results.

Despite these challenges, it is clear that efforts are being made to address the drugs crisis in Scotland's prisons. The SPS sees the use of Naloxone as a tool to safeguard individuals and support recovery journeys, while the training of inmates to administer naloxone is a testament to their dedication to reducing harm within the prison estate. As the situation continues to evolve, it is crucial that these efforts are sustained and strengthened to ensure the safety and wellbeing of all those in Scotland's prisons.

Over two imprisoned individuals monthly consume a powerful blend of illicit substances