![](\"https:\/\/i2-prod.dailystar.co.uk\/incoming\/article30812503.ece\/ALTERNATES\/s615b\/0_Aerial-View-Of-City-Against-Cloudy-Sky.jpg\")
<\/p>\nThe Scottish government is looking at proposals to decriminalise all drugs in a bid to lower the sky-high death rate.<\/p>\n
Scotland has the highest drug death rate in the UK and Europe, with around 90 people dying from narcotics per month.<\/p>\n
Now the Scottish government is proposing a major change that would see drugs decriminalised in a bid to help people rather than punish them.<\/p>\n
READ MORE: Skint drug dealer begs for orders so he's not forced 'do helicopter on OnlyFans'<\/b><\/i><\/p>\n
It says the aim of the move would be to "help and support people rather than criminalise and stigmatise them".<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
The Scottish government has however run into resistance from the UK government which runs general drug policy.<\/p>\n
Westminster says that such a move would be concerning and doesn\u2019t plan to allow the Scottish government to enact the proposal.<\/p>\n
Scotland's drug-related deaths fell by 279 last year to the lowest total in five years, but its ministers still want to bring in the controversial policy in a bid to make that number lower still.<\/p>\n
Other models around the world have been looked at and discussed by the Scottish government in a bid to bolster its argument.<\/p>\n
Among those is Portugal, which in 2001 relaxed its drug policy and despite having roughly double the population of Scotland has far fewer deaths.<\/p>\n
![](\"https:\/\/i2-prod.dailystar.co.uk\/incoming\/article30812500.ece\/ALTERNATES\/s615b\/0_AMP_SDR_010421_MACADAM0007JPG.jpg\")
<\/p>\n
It has some 10.3million residents compared to Scotland\u2019s 5.5, but suffered just 74 drug deaths in 2021 compared with Scotland\u2019s 1,330.<\/p>\n
There, dealing and trafficking remain illegal but if a user is detained and has no indication they intend to sell, they are simply let go \u2013 although the drugs are confiscated.<\/p>\n
They can however end up being referred to the Commission for the Dissuasion of Drug Use because while drugs are decriminalised, they are not legal either. <\/p>\n
If you or somebody you know has been affected by this story, contact Talk To Frank for free, confidential advice on 0300 1236600, texting 82111 or visiting their website, www.talktofrank.com<\/b><\/p>\n
For the latest breaking news and stories from across the globe from the Daily Star, sign up for our newsletter by clicking <\/i>here.<\/i><\/i><\/b><\/p>\n