Scotland has the highest reported rates of drug-related deaths in Europe, with 19.1 drug-related deaths per 100,000 people.

Addressing drug-related harm has been recognised as a significant public health challenge, requiring innovative, multi-sectorial trauma-informed approaches that prioritise engagement and prevention.

Hosted by the Global Law Enforcement and Public Health Association (GLEPHA), in this webinar three expert speakers will explore recent harm reduction-focused developments in Scotland including:

• The impact and ripple effects of Police Scotland’s national rollout of Naloxone and associated officer training programme.
• Partnerships, impact and collaborations that have supported The Thistle, Scotland’s first Drug Consumption Facility.
• The rate of progress, barriers, and enablers of change.

Speakers

Gary Ritchie, Partner, Global Consortium Group | Visiting Professor, Edinburgh Napier University

Talk title: The impact and ripple effects of Police Scotland’s national rollout of Naloxone and associated officer training programme.:

Gary is a Managing Partner with the Global Consortium Group and a former Assistant Chief Constable with Police Scotland. He led the development of Scotland’s first police drug strategy, shifting focus from enforcement to harm reduction, and oversaw the national roll-out of Naloxone to frontline officers. A strong advocate for public health approaches to policing, Gary has collaborated internationally on leadership and harm reduction initiatives and is Chair of the Scottish Institute for Policing Research’s International Board.

Inga Heyman, Associate Professor ( Policing and Public Health) Edinburgh Napier University, Scotland

Talk title: Evaluation of the carriage of naloxone by police officers in Scotland – the impact beyond saving lives

Inga’s international, interdisciplinary clinical, educational and research career spans 42 years. Her professional practice focus lies at the intersection of policing and public health and is underpinned by her clinical practice as a dual registered Adult and Mental Health Nurse working across health and police services in Scotland and Australia. She is an Honorary Member of the Faculty of Public Health Fellow of the Global Law Enforcement Association, Fellow of the Higher Education Academy and an Honorary Forensic Nurse Consultant.

Kirsten Horsburgh, CEO, Scottish Drugs Forum

Talk title: Introducing Safer Drug Consumption Facilities in Scotland

Kirsten is the CEO of Scotland’s national drugs policy organisation, Scottish Drugs Forum. She played a pivotal role in the coordination and development of Scotland’s National Naloxone programme and is a passionate advocate for safer drug consumption facilities. Kirsten is on the Oversight Board of Scotland’s first SDCF, The Thistle and is a Trustee of Harm Reduction International.

Moderator: Dr Tracey Price-Allan, Head of Social Research at Urban Foresight | GLEPHA board member

Dr Tracey Price-Allan is a GLEPHA board member and liaison for the international Special Interest Group on Harm Reduction. Tracey is Head of Social Research at Urban Foresight, where she leads a portfolio of relevant projects on behalf of public bodies and third sector clients. Tracey holds a PhD in drug policy reform and comes with extensive experience in social research, evaluation and trauma-informed practice. As a moderator, she will ensure a thoughtful, engaging and solution-focused conversion that supports innovation and insight.

Register to join

Don’t miss out on this opportunity to learn from Scotland’s pioneering approaches to harm reduction.

The panel is greatly looking forward to a dynamic, thoughtful discussion with all attendees, and we welcome your perspectives during the event.

Reserve your place at this event here >