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The National
2 days ago
- Politics
- The National
Scottish drug safety activist Peter Krykant dies age 48
The campaigner inspired many to regard addiction as a health issue and paved the way for state-backed safe drug consumption areas. He famously operated from his van in Glasgow's city centre between 2020 and 2021 in a bid to help those with drug addiction. READ MORE: SNP minister responds to 'secret meeting to discuss John Swinney leadership' reports Police Scotland have said that no suspicious circumstances surround the death at his home in Larbert, Falkirk, on Monday, according to the Daily Record. Labour MSP Paul Sweeney, who helped man the mobile service with Krykant, which was regarded as illegal at the time, said the 48-year-old's campaigning helped make significant changes to Scotland's drugs policy. 'I'm shocked and saddened to hear of Peter's death,' he said. 'We can't underestimate the contribution he made to the drugs debate in Scotland, which came amid many years of increasing overdose deaths. 'He undoubtedly played a major part in changing policy in a political a system that was very much set in its ways and resistant to the kind of radical change that Peter advocated. 'The overdose prevention facility in Glasgow, which is now operating successfully, came after many minds were turned by Peter's efforts.' Sweeney added that Krykant's efforts to force the opening of legal drug consumption areas in Scotland brought international recognition. He said: 'I worked alongside Peter on the van, which itself came to be an iconic sign of the changes that were occurring in attitudes in Scotland and the UK as a whole. 'Peter also travelled the world to tell others about his methods to disrupt and bring change. 'He will be very sadly missed.' In 2021, Krykant met then first minister Nicola Sturgeon and held talks about opening an official Drug Consumption Room site. Following several months of running his van in Glasgow's city centre, Krykant donated the facility to the Transform Drug Policy Foundation and its Anyone's Child campaign, which took it on a UK tour. He later took on roles with Cranstoun UK, a drug service provider. Scottish Greens Co-Leader Patrick Harvie MSP described Krykant as a tireless campaigner for a fairer, more compassionate approach to handling drug misuse and addiction. He said: 'We are all deeply saddened to hear of Peter's passing. Everyone from the Scottish Greens is thinking of his family and friends at this extremely difficult time. 'Peter was a tireless campaigner for a fairer, more compassionate approach to handling drug misuse and addiction, and his campaigning has left such an important legacy in the UK's first safe consumption room in Glasgow. 'His advocacy for drug reform, and of course, his yellow van, have no doubt saved countless lives in Scotland.' A Police Scotland spokesperson said: 'Around 5.15pm on Monday, 9 June 2025, police attended an address in Graham Avenue, Larbert following a report of a concern for person. 'The body of a 48-year-old man was found within.
Daily Record
2 days ago
- Politics
- Daily Record
Peter Krykant dies suddenly as tributes paid to pioneering Scots drugs reformer
Krykant, who battled addiction issues, was found dead at home in Falkirk. He inspired many to regard addiction as a health issue and paved the way for state-backed safe drug consumption areas Tributes have been paid to drugs policy reformer Peter Krykant after his sudden death. The campaigner, who battled addiction himself, became a public figure after setting up an unofficial drugs consumption room in a converted ambulance. He famously operated from the van in Glasgow city centre in 2020 and 2021 in a bid to tackle the city's rampant addiction crisis. Police Scotland have said that no suspicious circumstances surround the death at his home in Larbert, Falkirk, on Monday this week. Labour MSP Paul Sweeney, who had helped man the mobile service, which was regarded as illegal at the time, said 48-year-old Krykant's efforts had helped make significant changes to Scotland's drugs policy. Sweeney said: 'I'm shocked and saddened to hear of Peter's death. 'We can't underestimate the contribution he made to the drugs debate in Scotland, which came amid many years of increasing overdose deaths. 'He undoubtedly played a major part in changing policy in a political a system that was very much set in its ways and resistant to the kind of radical change that Peter advocated. 'The overdose prevention facility in Glasgow, which is now operating successfully, came after many minds were turned by Peter's efforts.' Sweeney said Krykant's efforts to force the opening of legal drug consumption areas in Scotland brought international recognition. He said: 'I worked alongside Peter on the van, which itself came to be an iconic sign of the changes that were occurring in attitudes in Scotland and the UK as a whole. 'Peter also travelled the world to tell others about his methods to disrupt and bring change. 'He will be very sadly missed.' Krykant launched his drugs bus after the Daily Record ran a powerful campaign to liberalise drugs laws, which highlighted Scotland's status as the drug deaths capital of Europe. In 2021 he met then First Minister Nicola Sturgeon is to hold talks on the opening of an official Drug Consumption Room site. After running his van in Glasgow's city centre for several months, Krykant donated the facility to the Transform Drug Policy Foundation and its Anyone's Child campaign, which took it on a UK tour. He later took on roles with Cranstoun UK, a drug service provider. It became public knowledge that Krykant suffered from ongoing personal trauma related to drug taking and suffered relapses in recent years. He had been visiting London in the days before his death but had returned to his flat in Larbert when friends became concerned about his wellbeing. A Police Scotland spokesperson said: 'Around 5.15pm on Monday, 9 June 2025, police attended an address in Graham Avenue, Larbert following a report of a concern for person. 'The body of a 48-year-old man was found within. 'His next of kin has been informed. A post mortem examination will be carried out in due course. The death is being treated as unexplained.' Join the Daily Record WhatsApp community! Get the latest news sent straight to your messages by joining our WhatsApp community today. You'll receive daily updates on breaking news as well as the top headlines across Scotland. No one will be able to see who is signed up and no one can send messages except the Daily Record team. All you have to do is click here if you're on mobile, select 'Join Community' and you're in! If you're on a desktop, simply scan the QR code above with your phone and click 'Join Community'. We also treat our community members to special offers, promotions, and adverts from us and our partners. If you don't like our community, you can check out any time you like. To leave our community click on the name at the top of your screen and choose 'exit group'.
