Medical qualifications I have none. My view is informed by forty years working in Clackmannanshire, Stirling and Falkirk in civil and criminal cases watching families blighted by addiction. I see tragedy unfold daily.

There are common denominators; poverty, trauma, including adverse childhood experiences, relationship breakdown, all forms of abuse and chaotic lifestyles.

Often it’s said that Clackmannanshire is Scotland in miniature. If that is true, there’s terror, fear and total mayhem for many daily.

Every single day now I have a new case involving a child in difficult circumstances where there is always, without exception, an addiction problem. 

I am learning every week about new drugs or new ways of taking drugs. Just today I heard for the first time of a drink involving codeine. Or fake codeine.

We’re spending huge sums drug testing parents to establish whether they should have family contact. One estimate I had, for legal aid drugs testing, was for over £5000.

Cocaine use is absolutely rife. It is everywhere. It has for many replaced cannabis. Cannabis use though isn’t restricted to the chilled out harmless hippy musician, it now involves serious regular unremitting harm for children. Contact centres are reporting on parents who arrive to see their children, under supervision, smelling of cannabis.

My outlook on the world isn’t average; I meet people with major problems, not always typical of society at large. But almost always for those on low wages or unemployed are the same parameters – poverty, a lack of social mobility, inequality, no hope. None. No way out.

One of my young relatives has lost more than 30 of his peers to suicide and drug related issues. In central Scotland in the 21st century.

In my files are parents and partners of drug and alcohol addicts dead and alive. The human tragedy is beyond description. It cannot continue. Social work, police, support services, prisons, advocacy services – all are overwhelmed and can’t cope with demand. 

It’s way beyond time to tell the truth. Annemarie Ward has done so valiantly. As do James Docherty and so many others.

Three decades ago a time in residential rehab helped a close relative of mine; he was able to return to work and regain a loved position as a valued family member. I wish for such provision for all those who suffer today, personally or as observers, loved and loving casualties.

An ally told me a few years ago ‘you don’t know what it’s like to be me’ and ‘you keep talking, we keep dying.’ Talk is cheap. Today’s vote shames what was supposed to be a left of centre party. It lifts my heart that Ash Regan, for Alba, supported the Bill. I had help to write the Alba policy on addictions and now as a former member I stand by every word. 

Todays’s result should not stand. It can’t be the end. Young people from our schemes deserve a life net. That is what treating addiction as an issue providing rights to the individual will bring, solutions that public health never will. 

Maggie Chapman expressed opposition as the Bill could lead to legal expenses when those with rights they consider breached take action. Seriously? In a democratic, civilised country with an expressed will to ‘tackle’ the drugs problem? 

Scotland must do better. The resources are there, but they are misdirected and the results poor. Recovery comprising the chance of abstinence is the only humane economic and sustainable solution for individuals, community and society. It would pay dividends in hope and achievement, reduce deaths, chaotic behaviour, generational harm and huge economic cost across all related services.