A PEOPLE’S panel is to be asked to scrutinise efforts to tackle Scotland’s shocking record on drug deaths.

The panel of 25 people will be asked ‘What does Scotland need to do differently to reduce drug related harms?’

The panel will meet twice once this month and once next month where they will hear from people with lived experience of drugs, from academics and researchers, and from others who work in this area.

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The list includes Community Justice Scotland, Scottish Families Affected by Alcohol and Drugs and the Scottish Drugs Forum.

After deliberations the panel will be asked to produce a report on what they see as the key issues and provide recommendations for action to tackle these issues.

Last month, 5000 invitation letters were sent to residential households across Scotland, selected at random from the Royal Mail’s address database.  25 people were then chosen to form the panel.

Latest figures, according to Police Scotland, figures for suspected drug deaths, 133 people died in Glasgow between January and June this year.

Across Scotland, the number of people who died was 589.

Scottish Parliament committee convenors said a People’s Panel can be vital in shaping a response to the problem.

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Audrey Nicoll, Convener of the Criminal Justice Committee said: “The issue of how to tackle drug deaths and drug related harms is one of great and urgent national importance.

“This people’s panel can offer a fresh perspective on this issue.

“It is vital that the Scottish Parliament is proactive in involving the people of Scotland in its work. This is a unique opportunity for MSPs on our Committees to hear grassroots views which can help in holding the government to account.”

Clare Haughey, Convener of the Health, Social Care and Sport Committee said: “Holding a people’s panel on this topic is an opportunity for a broad section of Scotland’s society to shape political discourse, to consider this matter in detail and to make recommendations which can help tackle this issue.”

Collette Stevenson, Convener of the Social Justice and Social Security Committee said: “The findings of the people’s panel report will be vital in informing our cross-Committee scrutiny of this issue.

“We know that drug related deaths and the myriad harms of drug use cause pain and distress to people and families across Scotland. 

“Our committees look forward to engaging with the panel and hearing their recommendations on what more they feel can and should be done to tackle this issue.”