a day ago
Calton residents hit out at minister's comments over needles
Maree Todd, minister for drug policy, visited the Thistle Centre and the surrounding area amid reports of increased drug-taking and dealing activity in the area.
She said while the government cannot be 'cloth-eared' when residents are stating they believe there to be an increase in discarded needles, there was no evidence that was the case.
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The issue of public injecting and subsequent drug equipment left lying around has become heightened since the centre opened in January this year.
Public meetings have been held with local people angry at what they are seeing on the streets.
Following the minister's comments, one resident has written to the Scottish Government outlining the concerns of local people.
Scott Parsons, wrote: 'I have just read your comments in the article published by the Glasgow Evening Times.
'It is wholly disappointing that you are so ill-informed.
This is not a one-off issue - it is happening constantly across the neighbourhood.
'Your dismissal of the very valid concerns of Calton residents of the impact your Government's decision is having on their day-to-day lives and neighbour(hood) is not helpful.
'And your final comment that suggests that the residents of the Calton are stigmatising 'appropriate treatment' is both insulting to residents and embarrassing from a Government minister.
"Since when has providing Government funded facilities for the taking of illegal drugs been considered appropriate treatment?
'I would suggest that you attend one of the Community meetings and speak to residents and see the significant damage you are inflicting on ordinary people.'
Todd had said she was worried about the reports from residents but insisted the centre will make a difference to drug deaths.
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She said: 'The safe consumption drug facility was sited here because it was already an area where these challenges occurred.
"So there was lots of street usage and lots of littering challenges.
"In time, I would expect that the challenges faced by the community will reduce as the confidence in this facility increases."
Annemarie Ward, chief executive of Favour UK has supported residents who want action and said they are not being listened to.
She said: 'The Minister's comments are, frankly, insulting not just because of their dismissiveness, but because they ignore both the daily evidence on the ground and clear international research on what happens when these policies are imposed without balance.
'The people of Calton are being gaslit.
'You're told to believe that what you see with your own eyes, more discarded needles, open injecting in doorways, dealers outside your homes isn't real, or that it's somehow better than before.
'And when you raise legitimate concerns, you're accused of 'stigmatising' people or of being manipulated by external groups, as if you're not capable of speaking for yourselves.'
