Dundee’s fight against drug deaths has been thrown into further chaos after the city’s addiction tsar quit his role amid growing frustration over the “glacial” pace of progress.
The departure of Simon Little as independent chair of the Dundee Alcohol and Drugs Partnership was described by a local MSP as evidence “little to no progress” has been made tackling the overdose crisis.
Mr Little declined to comment on the reasons for his resignation and it is understood the decision came as a surprise to many involved.
But we can reveal growing frustrations among those charged with tackling Dundee’s harrowing drug deaths record.
‘A general feeling of frustration’
A commission looking at ways to fix the crisis reported earlier this year that the scale of the problem is greater than feared.
The Dundee Drugs Commission said action had not gone “far enough, deep enough or fast enough” and set out new recommendations.
A senior figure with links to the Dundee Alcohol and Drugs Partnership said: “I think we’ve all got frustrations about the progress – or the pace of the progress.
“I think there is just a general feeling of frustration about the pace of change.”
Tied up in red tape
The official described how the people tasked with tackling substance deaths have become bogged down in convoluted management structures and red tape.
The Dundee Alcohol and Drugs Partnership reports to the Dundee Partnership – a team including members of the council, police, charities, NHS Tayside and others.
The source said: “I’ll be honest, the whole thing is bloody frustrating and I think we need to make far more rapid progress than we’re currently making.”
North East MSP Michael Marra said Mr Little’s appointment had been seen by the SNP administration as evidence of progress.
He added: “His resignation now is evidence that little to no progress has been made. Reform is urgent and the delays can only be measured in deaths.
“Frustration at the lack of reform is widespread and was a central criticism of the second Dundee Drugs Commission report, to which there has been no formal response from city leaders.
“The inability to reform services is intolerable. We are years on from the panic at surging numbers of lost citizens and progress has been glacial.”
Plans for change
The Dundee Partnership confirmed it will be “looking at the make-up of the ADP for the future”.
Newly elected city councillor Nadia El-Nakla, who is married to SNP Health Secretary Humza Yousaf, will be taking up one of the political roles on the group.
The Dundee Partnership plans to publish a statement of intent later this month in response to the Drugs Commission report before setting out a detailed action plan this summer.
Dundee City Council leader John Alexander, who is chair of the Dundee Partnership, paid tribute to Mr Little as he called on the group to “focus on pushing forward with actions”.
“Simon has been an integral part of the city’s response to addiction and I want to put my appreciation on record,” Mr Alexander said.
“The broader partnership, which includes NHS Tayside, the Health and Social Care Partnership, police, third sector partners and the council, must focus on pushing forward with actions.
“As always, there is significant work going on in the background and we all want to see that making inroads into drug and alcohol related harm.”
A Dundee Partnership spokesman thanked Mr Little for his work.
