Meeting Minutes
8th Meeting, 2023
Social Justice and Social Security Committee, Criminal Justice Committee and Health, Social Care and Sport Committee Joint Meeting
Date: Wednesday, March 22, 2023
Session: 6
Location: T4.60 CR6 The Livingstone Room
Meeting opened at: 10:00am
Meeting closed at: 12:32pm
Committee Members Attendees
Gillian Martin (Convener)
Natalie Don
Russell Findlay
Paul O'Kane
Gillian Mackay
Pauline McNeill
Audrey Nicoll
Apologies
Miles Briggs
Foysol Choudhury
Sue Webber
1 Decision on taking business in private:
The Committees agreed to take item 3 in private.
2 Reducing drug deaths in Scotland and tackling problem drug use:
The Committees took evidence from—
Liz Nolan, Deputy Director Operations, Aberlour
Karen Reynolds, Service Manager, Renfrewshire Alcohol and Drugs Partnership
Kirsten Horsburgh, Director of Operations, Scottish Drugs Forum
Justina Murray, Chief Executive Officer, Scottish Families Affected by Alcohol and Drugs
And then from—
Angela Constance, Minister for Drugs Policy, Scottish Government
Orlando Heijmer-Mason, Head of Drugs Policy Division, Scottish Government
3 Reducing drug deaths in Scotland and tackling problem drug use: (in private):
The Committees agreed to meet jointly every six months to continue to monitor progress of the implementation of the recommendations of the Scottish Drug Deaths Taskforce. The Committees agreed to meet more frequently, if required, in response to events.
The Committees also agreed to accept an invitation from Aberlour for three members to visit one of its support facilities, at a future date.