By Bill Heaney
The SNP have been accused of “shameful spin” after a Scottish Government press release on the annual drugs death figures was edited to remove reference to the families and communities devastated by the fatalities.
Correspondence obtained by the Scottish Conservatives, via a Freedom of Information request, shows that an unnamed official intervened to remove a quote from the release issued in the wake of figures published in August showing that 1,172 people died from drugs in 2023.
The deleted quote, which was due to be attributed to health secretary Neil Gray, right, read: “Behind these grim statistics are families and whole communities impacted by this devastating loss of life.”
However, the official ordered it be removed from the final draft, on the grounds that “we should highlight SG action rather than providing context”.
Shadow minister for drugs, alcohol and women’s health Annie Wells said the “cynical instruction” was proof that the SNP Government were more interested in “playing down the impact of their own catastrophic failure” than acknowledging the effects of it.
Scottish Conservative shadow minister for drugs, alcohol and women’s health Annie Wells said: “This shocking edit illustrates the shameful culture of spin that lies at the heart of this SNP Government.
“They’re more interested in playing down the impact of their own catastrophic failure to tackle Scotland’s drugs death crisis than acknowledging the effect of it on families and communities.
“This cynical instruction is proof that image comes before reality and empathy.
“No wonder the public feel disconnected from all politicians when those inside the Holyrood bubble refuse to recognise what’s going on in the real world.”
An early version of a Scottish Government press release on the drug death statistics included a line about ‘these grim statistics’. An early draft of the press release stated: ‘My heartfelt condolences go to all those affected by the loss of a loved one through drugs. Behind these grim statistics are families and whole communities, impacted by this devastating loss of life. This level of deaths remains hugely concerning and underlines why we remain committed to doing all we can to reduce harm and deaths caused by drugs.’ (Scottish Government FOI Response, 26 September 2024, Available on request).
However, a Scottish Government official whose name is redacted suggested removing it. An official said: ‘I don’t think we should carry this sentence [.] Behind these grim statistics are families and whole communities, impacted by this devastating loss of life. Quotes are already on long side for NR to get various strands of work in and think we should highlight SG action rather than providing context.’ (Scottish Government FOI Response, 26 September 2024, Available on request).
The line then did not appear in the version of the press release that was published. The final version of the press release states: ‘My heartfelt condolences go to all those affected by the loss of a loved one through drugs. This level of deaths remains hugely concerning and underlines why we we [sic] will continue to do all we can to reduce harm and deaths caused by drugs.’ (Scottish Government, 20 August 2024, link).
In 2023 there were 1,172 deaths due to drug misuse in Scotland. This is 121 more deaths than in 2022, a 12% increase, and 717 more deaths than in 2007 when the SNP came to power, a 158% increase. (National Records of Scotland, 20 August 2024, link).