Addicts would be given immunity from prosecution if they are prepared to go through treatment under a softening of Scottish Conservative drugs policy.
Ruth Davidson’s party say those caught with drugs would avoid a criminal record by putting themselves before a local commission, which would decide how they will be helped.
The “second chance” plan is part of the Tories’ new strategy for tackling the spiralling number of drugs deaths in Scotland.
Dundee is the country’s drugs death capital after the number of fatalities increased from 38 in 2016 to 57 last year, according to figures published this summer.
Under the Tory plan all narcotics-related mortalities would be individually reviewed.
The drugs death strategy also includes setting up life plans for addicts, an independent review of methadone and a target to halve fatalities in five years.
Miles Briggs, the Tory health spokesman in Scotland, said: “Users don’t need a drugs plan to help them manage their addiction, they need a life plan to help them end their addiction.”
On the reprieve plan for addicts facing possession charges, the Lothians MSP added: “It would be their choice – take responsibility for yourself and your actions, and you get a second chance and avoid a criminal record.
“Offend again, and you can expect to feel the full force of the law.”
Allowing first-time offenders to bypass the courts marks a new direction for the Scottish Conservatives, who have stressed the importance of the criminal justice system in tackling drug misuse.
Dundee City Council has set up a Drugs Commission, which is looking at how to reduce the numbers of deaths in the city.
Ken Lynn, an SNP councillor in Dundee who is on the commission, said it would listen to all views. However, he said he does not see “anything in the Conservative proposals which is particularly innovative”.
“I’m particularly disappointed by the absence of any meaningful harm reduction proposals, such as safe injecting rooms, as I believe this is a key factor in reducing the level of drug deaths,” he added.
“I would be happy if the Scottish Tories were to change course and try to persuade the Westminster Government that powers over drug legislation be transferred to Holyrood, as the SNP has.”
Alex Cole-Hamilton, for the Scottish Liberal Democrats, said the SNP and Scottish Conservatives were responsible for today’s failing drugs policy.
“Now the Tories’ head-spinning approach sees them furiously backpedalling from the strategy they were once so proud of,” he said.
Public Health Minister Joe FitzPatrick said the Scottish Government would be publishing its drug and alcohol strategy soon, but warned “many of the levers” for tackling the issue are reserved to Westminster.
“We have provided further funding to help reduce the harms caused by alcohol and drugs, bringing the total to more than £70 million this financial year,” the Dundee West MSP added.
“Oer the past decade we have invested some £746m to tackle problem alcohol and drug use.”
