The new leader of Dundee City Council has said tackling drug abuse is one of his administration’s top priorities.
John Alexander, 28, was speaking after The Courier published a shocking photograph of a half-naked drug addict found passed out in the stairwell of West Bell Street Car Park on Saturday afternoon.
The image has led to calls for safe injecting rooms to be established in Dundee to help reduce the number of addicts shooting up in the open and to direct them toward treatment.
Mr Alexander, whose SNP party agreed a coalition deal with independent councillor Ian Borthwick last week, said it would take “grit and determination” to reduce the harm caused by hard drug abuse in Dundee.
Mr Alexander said: “This is clearly a very concerning incident and unfortunately, we all know of the long-standing problem that many areas across the whole of the UK and indeed Europe have in tackling drug addiction.
“There is no magic remedy that will make these problems go away but through grit, determination and a willingness to change things, we can make inroads.
“We do need to target resources generally, but that is not just about putting money toward tackling the issue.
“We need to be focused on the long-term; in supporting those afflicted with drug addiction, working with partners across the public and voluntary sector to help people escape their addiction and in making sure that all of our services work in a joined up way.”
Mr Alexander said the image published on Monday was a “very graphic example” of the harm caused by heroin across Dundee.
He said: “It’s an issue that affects every part of the city and touches many people. The person photographed is just one, very graphic example of that.
“We must remember that this is someone’s child, someone’s grandchild, an uncle, a brother and maybe even a father — a human being.
“Drug misuse affects the poor and the not so poor, the educated and the not so educated, the worker and the unemployed. Drug abuse has no boundaries and takes no prisoners.
“It’s an issue that has been identified by our communities through the community consultations that take place and is a top priority for the council, NHS Tayside and our partners.
“No-one organisation has responsibility for this, it is and it should be, everyone’s concern. It will feature as a topic in ongoing meetings of the Dundee Partnership with a variety of organisations represented and our efforts have to be joined up and meaningful.”
Mr Alexander added: “Our lead spokesperson on health and social care, councillor Ken Lynn is leading the charge on pulling partners together to tackle this issue head on.
“It will take time and it won’t be easy but it is the right thing to do.
“Our council, and I think I speak for all 29 elected members from across the political spectrum, are determined to reduce the prevalence of drugs through the work of Police Scotland, help those already affected to come off of drugs and support individuals and their families throughout the very difficult journey.”
