Question reference: S5W-35774
- Asked by: Alexander Stewart, MSP for Mid Scotland and Fife, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
- Date lodged: 5 March 2021
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Current status: Answered by Humza Yousaf on 22 March 2021
Question
To ask the Scottish Government what action it will take to tackle the production and sale of fake Valium pills, in light of reports of potentially lethal pills being sold in Fife as well as online.
Answer
The Scottish Government continues to work with partners on Scotland’s Serious Organised Crime Taskforce to disrupt the production and distribution of illicit drugs, including fake Valium. The availability of illicit pills, particularly fake Valium pills, is of significant concern, bringing misery to individuals, families and communities.
There is evidence that the majority of these tablets are being produced in Scotland by criminal gangs that have access to pill press machines. We will continue to push the UK Government to take action to regulate the sale of pill presses.
Police Scotland and partners, including Royal Mail, continue to work together to stop the carriage of illegal drugs in the postal system including screening of suspicious items, canine detection and encouraging staff to report any suspicious items.
It is clear that we cannot arrest our way out of the drugs crisis and, while enforcement activity will continue, we are investing £250 million over the next session of the parliament to better support those who have found themselves caught up in the illicit drugs trade.