11th Meeting, 2023

Health, Social Care and Sport Committee, Criminal Justice Committee and Social Justice and Social Security Committee Joint Meeting

Date: Wednesday, March 22, 2023
Session: 6
Location: T4.60 CR6 The Livingstone Room
Meeting opened at: 10:00am
Meeting closed at: 12:32pm

Committee Members Attendees

Gillian Martin (Convener)
Natalie Don
Russell Findlay
Paul O'Kane
Gillian Mackay
Pauline McNeill
Audrey Nicoll 

Apologies

Miles Briggs
Foysol Choudhury
Sue Webber

1 Decision on taking business in private:

The Committees agreed to take item 3 in private.

2 Reducing drug deaths in Scotland and tackling problem drug use:

The Committees took evidence from—

Liz Nolan, Deputy Director Operations, Aberlour

Karen Reynolds, Service Manager, Renfrewshire Alcohol and Drugs Partnership

Kirsten Horsburgh, Director of Operations, Scottish Drugs Forum

Justina Murray, Chief Executive Officer, Scottish Families Affected by Alcohol and Drugs

And then from—

Angela Constance, Minister for Drugs Policy, Scottish Government

Orlando Heijmer-Mason, Head of Drugs Policy Division, Scottish Government

3 Reducing drug deaths in Scotland and tackling problem drug use: (in private):

The Committees agreed to meet jointly every six months to continue to monitor progress of the implementation of the recommendations of the Scottish Drug Deaths Taskforce. The Committees agreed to meet more frequently, if required, in response to events. 

The Committees also agreed to accept an invitation from Aberlour for three members to visit one of its support facilities, at a future date.