Scotland is proposing to decriminalize possession of all drugs for personal use, according to a reform document published on Friday.
Instead of punishing people who possess drugs, they would be offered “treatment and support”, the Scottish Government said in a statement.
The aim of the measure is to reduce drug-related mortality, which is a major problem in Scotland.
In 2020, the drug-related death rate in Scotland was 3.7 times that of the UK as a whole. In the same year, the death toll was higher than any other European country.
The ball is now in the UK government’s court.
“We stand ready to work with the UK government to put these progressive policies into practice,” said Elena Whitham, Scotland’s minister responsible for drugs, in the statement.
But in London, the proposal receives a cool response.
“While I have not seen these reports, I think I am confident enough to say that there are no plans to change our tough stance on drugs,” said Prime Minister Rishi Sunak’s spokesperson.