ON the evening of Saturday, March 13, Independence Live is running what they say will surely be one of their most important policy events in 2021.

The Resetting Drug Policy in Scotland virtual conference will discuss the measures that must be taken to adopt a new and improved approach to drug policy in Scotland.

Speakers include Ronnie Cowan MP, vice-chair of the all-party parliamentary group on drug policy reform; Zoë Dodd, co-organiser of Toronto Overdose Prevention Society; Michael Lodberg Olsen, of Fixlance Copenhagen; Peter Krykant, drug policy campaigner and prospective MSP, and Darren “Loki” McGarvey, author, journalist, musician and social commentator.

The event is being organised by Totally Gallus Events and Independence Live, which said: “There is a consensus that the Scottish Government and Scottish society can do more now to reduce the number of drug-related deaths.

“In 2019, the number of people in Scotland who died a drug-related death was equivalent to three people losing their lives each and every day.

“The Scottish Government has stated that they ‘must do much more to make sure others don’t suffer the same fate’ and the Holyrood administration has been open to more action since 2019.”

The organisers say the event will help to create a new approach to drug policy in Scotland and has been designed for anyone who has an interest in drug policy. Attendance is free but donations are welcome.