@@livefreeordie5769 yep, this is Scotland under the SNP.. will never change until Sturgeon is out. Scotland worst deaths from drugs in Western Europe that’s facts
Why is vice lieing and turning off comments when they were kicked out by Andrew Tate now they are made and attacking him with lies and no one can comment of that video you guys suck I thought vice was the only news channel that was legitimate now F off vice
19 years on methadone. Held a brilliant job down for 15 of those years. What’s changed in those 19 years absolutely nothing. The more time passes by the more it stays the same or worse
Respect to the honest cop who said his entire career was essentially for nothing & now advocating for decriminalization/legalization. The war on drugs has always been bullshit.
Identity creates the appearance of division. A 'me' with virtuous deeds, a 'you' with error or sin. Then judgement conflict and war. Its clear that conflict and its inner working of the mind, its evidence is expertly documented here.
Maaan check out Spains decriminalization It’s crazy how meth use just dropped by it’s own That industry has money being pumped all over the scot cop was right after all
Was the hardest thing I've done providing this service and drove me to the point of despair. We need safe places rather than alleyways and abandoned buildings where people can get the support they need to stay alive first and foremost and hopefully also get help to address the many underlying issues like homelessness and trauma which often lead to the problematic drug use.
I overdosed and died in an ambulance last year, leading to being in psychosis for over 2 weeks, a month in inpatient rehab, and a massive continued daily effort to stay sober. I am about to come up on my first and only year of adulthood sobriety in my 27 years on Earth. This really hits home, to say the least…. More phenomenal work, VICE News. It is stories like these, that give me strength and hope in regards to the overall battle around substance abuse and/or addiction. Decriminalize drugs - Education instead of ignorance!
THIS is the Vice I signed up for. Great, raw and authentic documentaries about the most pressing issues of our generation. For a while during the pandemic it seemed like everything was going downhill for Vice, but I'm glad to see that they are back on their feet and reporting on the things that matter. Thank you Vice for bringing these things to light for the public to see.
@@toadmadhatter I agree, won't sing victory too soon. But I think it's good to give positive feedback when these stories come out. The interviewer is great, with no bullshit funny crap, and the stories and footage are too. It feels real, like the old Vice stuff. Hope they keep doing more stories in this line
I agree, this is excellent journalism. They interviewed a vide range of people, from users and dealers to ex policemen and even the guy who's creating safe spaces for drug use. Their point about the need for drug legalization is very clear and understandable.
In Scotland, 5% cocaine, and the rest.... ☠️🤷🏼♂️. Columbia, Petrol, Cement, caustic soda (dangerous), toxic product, sulfuric acid ☠️ (blocked toilet), Chemical 👄▫️👈, Potassium Salt, microwave. ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-7tlwW2DKzlc.html .. No thank you 🤮.
Peter brought a tear to my eye. What an incredible bloke who’s providing a much needed service. I’ve struggled with substance use in the past and the government needs to do so much more to help
This brought me close to tears a couple times. I've struggled with addiction multiple times and I'm only 21. I watched my dad struggle with addiction, my mothers life has been plagued with addiction for the past 20 odd year. I've lost friends to drugs. The sad part is; in this society, that's the norm for so many people. Something productive must be done. War has never 'solved' anything, the war on drugs is no different.
Spot on. Makes me feel weird when you see things like this, because this is what most of us just think is everyday life for everyone, but its actually a problem.
I know the one man. I'm 25 and I'm just snapping out of it. So many people don't even realise they have a problem. It's good that you recognise it man. Hope you're doing okay.
I have respect for the man providing clean gear for intravenous users. It clearly takes a toll on him but he feels it's his duty to help these addicts. Mad respect for that, I hope you get many more days to do this ♡
@@jamesirvine7268 yes, but if people are already in the loop, I'm happy that there are people who are at least looking out to take the danger of infection n stuff away. (Normally those people will provide help and contacts too if you want to quit).
@@MaxMustermann-dq2se only they can help themselves everyone goes through difficult times at some stage in life youve got get up off u're arse not get drugged up in self pity
Amazing video, my entire family lives in Scotland and I visit there twice a year and this deeply saddens me to hear of this drug epidemic that effects so many people. thank you vice for making this. this is true journalism
I lived in Dundee for a while and it was incredibly depressing to see the grip coke and heroine had on a large number of people there. Many kids grew up knowing there were no opportunities for them, and had nothing to do except chase highs. Whole families are buried together after dying from drug abuse. Scotland is crying out for help and support. We've tried to implement "drug tanks" and Westminster refused permission. There's no money for public and social services to provide support. I have no idea what the solution is.
Peter is just incredible - saving lives while still fighting his own demons. I hope he gets the financial and mental support to be able to continue with his valuable work, even though the government needs to stop stalling and start offering safe spaces to consume
Ok, let's all just take a moment to agree this excellent journalism. They interviewed not only the users, not only the actual dealers, but also an ex narcotics officer and even the man who is trying to help the community by crating ga safe spaces for drug use. The point that decriminalization and legalization of drugs is a necessity has been very well made.
Well done Vice reflected the situation well and it’s good to hear about this because of how much people i’ve known in my area who had died of an overdose 👌🏻
Well done Pete, well done everyone else for your courageous & Generous sharing on this video. You're all Heros, nothing else to say, what it is, people being real, a rare event
It's good to see a presenter/interviewer who can watch people using and ask the right questions without being corny or cringe, despite not having experienced drug addiction himself (as far as I can tell). Didn't come across condescending or judgemental. Good journalism!!
Just for the end users. Drug trafficking is still a crime! The black market is going strong and you cant really trust the quality of the drugs even if you trust your sources, because it is all in the hands of criminals anyways. But at least you can enable harm reduction programs and provide help and information for safer use.
All of these guys just nailed it talking about chasing that first cocaine line or how you’ll stay high knowing you have more or getting more but the minute you’re out and done your down and realizing it’s over. Lol cocaine is such a catch 22. The anxiety of running out or coming down always is the worst. Makes it almost not worth even doing it.
I used to have a crippling cocaine addiction. I’m in Houston Texas so the cocaine I got was highly pure and I was shooting it up … the comedown at the end of the night and being fucking exhausted trying to fall asleep while being extrremely depressed and hating myself for being a disgusting druggy is a horrid feeling I will never ever forget and never want to feel again
As a recovering addict it takes me back to the times I got high and don’t miss the downward spiral. The high is great everything else sucks. Always remember, they show you the good times, but not the mental withdrawals, or physical (if their talking about drugs that can cause physical I.e Xanax l, opiates etc). The dealers make it seem cool but don’t show how one mistake can get you life. I’m all about people doing what they want but just know, every action has a reaction. Good or bad. Stay safe my friends! Also, education is important, you can do things in a safe manner, just know your body because most don’t chose to be addicts. Once they realize they’re addicted, it’s too late to turn back and say forget it. They already are in the cycle and the mental aspect already took over along with the physical.
@UCbuUY-tQSJUZHo5ZMUFgfrw yes! I wish more people would speak on the taboo and how if we just accepted people and helped each other thing would be different.
Good video, Vice, for bringing awareness to the drug crisis in Scotland because I didn't even know about it. Some parts in this video were pretty grotesque but were necessary to see. Hope it gets settled out over there.
I’m 29 and Glasgow born and bred, within the last ten years the uptick in cocaine use on nights out is unreal. From wee guys to my mum and dad’s pals who are professionals in their 50s. It’s so normalised.
Thank you so much for reporting this. Drug abuse and deaths in Scotland are a tragedy. I spent most of my life growing up and working there. Scotland is the most beautiful country at its best but the most ugly and dark at its worst. Thanks for shedding light on this, how difficult life can be for many people and also the courageous and compassionate work being done to save lives.
@@keeemon4451 nah more like Thatcherism has his Scotland the worst out of all countries in the UK, horrible public services and no investments into communities has left people with nothing to do. I grew up in the remote areas of Scotland and honestly it doesnt even feel as if we have a government there, we are just small communities doing what we can to get by- there's no booming industries like there once was here because all the Textile and Industrial manufacturing is done in China/India and the coal/mining industries all died up here. We got mistreated so badly, comparable to a big brother with £10 only giving his little brother £1, it's just not enough.
@@dsy6238 true, thatcher was fucking evil, i dont think any one can understate just how badly she fucked over scotland... and now we have wannabe thatcher liz truss in office... god save scotland
I'm Scottish, ever since 16, 80% of the people drinking are snorting lines. Scotland loves drugs. Valium has made me loose a few friends. Its just seen as normal to sit fri to sun drinking, snorting, then go home, take a valium and go to bed. Some don't wake up 🤦♂️
100% mate says it nutshell wasn’t suprise when saw this video it’s the norm up here has been for years everycunt literally takes it or goes to work to get in debt
14:28 This guy is actually intelligent. There's not a lot of police officers saying that we should regulate the drug market to remove violence. This is the only way we can achieve peace.
6:20 "I can smile now" This is exactly how drug addiction is. Once you take your drug, you finally get happiness again, and feel like you can laugh and live life again. Anyone looking to get clean, it does get better. I am about 6 months clean from crippling alcohol addiction, and my brain is already starting to heal.
My cousin passed away last year because of dodgy drugs where he lived in Edinburgh he was 22. I haven’t done drugs other than a drink but I think if it was legal and licensed maybe my cousin wouldn’t of died.
If you know how pure your stuff is, its less likely to overdose. On the other hand, enough people drink their way into their grave, but likely less than if it was bought from blackmarket sources.
Drugs are still drugs. It will still kill you. Just cuz it's legal dont mean nothing. When stuff is legal it's just the government wanting to make that extra cash
@@angelsaldana4821 You clearly have no knowledge on street drugs, of course theres a huge difference, most heroin / pills on the street are laced with fentanyl, if the user knew it was laced they wouldn't take it. No cocaine heroin or any strong drugs have decent purity when it comes down to a street level. High quality heroin will not kill you as a fast as fentanyl, neither will cocaine, neither will most pills. you are wrong in every sense of the way. Who cares about the gov making more cash? Would you rather that money go into funding the cartels or some terrorist group? If you care about people the only way to move forward is to end the war of drugs which the gov have been losing for decades.
23 y/o from Glasgow here. Almost everyone around my age I know has taken gear at some point or another, got several mates who have had serious issues, debt, rehab etc. Legalisation is the only hope to solve this issue, I’ve got at least 5 or 6 ways I could get a bag if I wanted to. If it’s that easy then we might as well have all the benefits / tax / safety measures of legalisation, it’s plan and simple. The big man summed it up best when he said it was already a free-for-all.
@Catenaccio Catenaccio I don't know where you're from. But it's clearly not Scotland. Because you would know that it's not the "SNP regime" that Scotland voted for that has control over drug laws in Scotland, it's the UK Government that Scotland didn't vote for.
@@SSJfraz I’m in Scotland and it 100% is a regime. 15 years in power and every aspect of Scottish society has collapsed under the Nationalists. Drugs, education, waiting times for healthcare - all in the gutter.
Everyone i no thinks coke is cool ...its ok tell people you use coke no stigma attached to it ...its the normal....it so not cool... as you say wait till you lose everything.....pease!!!
I'm really hoping Alastair and Joe can overcome addiction and improve their life quality. Also, the cop was accurate and concise on why descriminalize drugs, arguments we all need to know on the tip of our tongue when discussing drugs with people around us. War on drugs just doesn't make sense considering all the humanitarian disaster pattern we see in practically all countries. Another great report by Vice, I finished the video with teary eyes.
Well done Peter. You're doing really well mate. Don't give up. Don't stop. Don't slow down. Scotland needs actors like you. Activists like you. Respect.
Probably the best thing vice has put out in a long time. Thanks for this documentary, I’m Glaswegian & I’ve dealt with this in my family & friends, you’re right something has to be done too many people are loosing their lives to this vicious circle.
Thank you Peter for caring about the people on the street it takes a recovering addict to care for his fellow addicts your reward is waiting for you when you reach the end of your road.
Great vid but, absolutely heartbreaking! I've experienced an addiction but, thankfully stopped before it was too late! I'm grateful everyday for that. @PeterKrykant you are a hero & should be so very proud of yourself. I agree we cannot win the war on drugs so, something different HAS to be done. The old "just say no" has & never will work! More 'safe sites' & more available treatments are a must. My prayers are with those still in the midst of this illness & my thoughts to the families of all those lost!
I was once laughed at in a house party for not taking coke almost 40 and have never done it and have lost a handful of friends to drug use its all fun and games until you get older we need to change the mentality that its not cool not to do drugs when people are younger theres a whole generation of cocaine babies who are now adults its a vicious cycle just extremely common now.
This was fantastic. No bullshit from the interviewer, good footage and stories, and honesty, like back in the old days of Vice. Hope to see more of this
I’ll hit 3 years clean September first. I was major into crack, coke and speed. I went from smoking over 5k a week to quitting cold turkey. Had a bad hit that was laced out and my forehead hit the kitchen floor as I stayed standing in the same spot.. Needless to say me getting clean was the best decision of my life and I’ll never go back to how I was. Recovery is possible for all of us 🙏👌
When the reporter asked, why you using it? the guy sitting on the pavement answered "to forget things" That right there seems cliché but deep. We really need to address "things" that's bothering us before we get in this kind of situation. So sad for every user.
Why shouldn't expect anything from anyone I'm life every one encounters hard times at some stage in life you don't just get drugged up in self pity you get up off u're arse and get on with it.its cynical but I've got no fucking sympathy
It’s not really so sad for every user, more like it’s sad for most addicts. Most drug users are not addicted and don’t have problems with drugs. Most users do it for fun and don’t have any issue with it.
@@jamesirvine7268 Everyones "hard times" are different. Some people are sexually assaulted by family members, others were never loved theres generational trauma and these list goes on. You don't know what they've been through, so you literally sound ignorant in projecting your views on them.
@@litty4553 also the majority of these junkies get about 1000 a month on the sick which the taxpayer pays for the only person that can help them is themselves
Peter has to be one of the most empathetic and beautiful souls walking the Earth. Hats off to ya man. And seriously, isn't well past time to remove stigmas and just regulate everything? I mean, we passed the point of ridiculous decades ago and we are now leaning into either stupidity or voyeuristic sadism. How many more people must we lose before we as a global society say "You know, I don't think this system is having the desired effect." Btw, another amazing doc VICE. You guys and dolls are awesome
It’s something special to see someone like Peter who experienced the hardships and want to help those going through it. It’s a great example of human kindness even though it puts him in a hard position he still wants to do what he can.
i am a harm reduction outreach worker in Canada, I've never used drugs in my life so I'll leave the lived experience to ones who are actually qualified to talk about it. but from a public health perspective, the toxicity of unregulated drug supplies (at least in Canada right now) is killing people. Dealers cut into the drugs they are selling so we are seeing a dramatic increase in overdoses, and no one knows what they are truly using. You could be attempting to use meth and then end up ODing presenting symptoms of using down (opiates), etc. As well, depressants like benzodiazepines are being mixed as well, and naloxone cannot reverse a benzo overdose, even though both presents similar symptomatology...people want help, but services are scattered, with each service having a different mandate than the other. For the homeless population, people complain about shelters, but from shelter's perspective, workers are being traumatized five or six times a day by the sexual comments they get, violence, OD, and more.
I stay in the city centre, Vice got right in about it for real. Since mid-2000s, heroin got weaker and cheap, but cocaine quality and supply increased considerably. Also since then, illicit benzodiazepines flooded the city and are a major factor in drug-related fatalities. Huge respect for Peter's efforts on the front-line. McClean's legalisation plan is the way to go for sure: control the market. Society lost the war on drugs but a sensible solution reduces harm all round.
Benzo's are by far the hardest drug to withdrawal from and make opiates seem like a joke by comparison. But it never get's anywhere near the same level of coverage.
This was so hard for me to watch my mother is in current addiction and has been since before I was born and to see what could happen to her and to know if she doesn't get help this is where her life is heading. I hope anyone struggling right now finds the strength to fight you are loved and you can do this I know it seems hard but taking the first step to get help is the hardest step. You can do this there are people that really want to help you
Back when I was going through my drug phase, cocaine was NOT my drug of choice. It always affected me in a negative way. I would want more, more, more but then I would be crawling out of my skin because I took too much. Thanks but no...
as an American I'm so used to hearing the same nonsense from police in media that it shook me to hear that undercover cop have a legitimately good take on the situation
@@Blorp_ All a government cares about is staying in power unfortunately and there are still too many potential voters that don’t understand that the war on drugs has failed and that drugs should be decriminalised. They can’t risk changing the policy in case they get voted out.
As someone who grew up and lives in the greater Glasgow area I can say gear/coke has been completely normalised. No one would look twice if they saw you take a key. Obviously not everyone does it but it’s ridiculously easy to get and many people wouldn’t go on a night out without it.
I wish there was a superlike button. This was an incredible documentary. It hit home a lot with me. I hate the thought that drug manufacturers and smugglers now see Scotland as a goldmine to bring in the coke to. It scares me every day that this will only get worse.
This story is exactly the scene I lived in a rual south Louisiana town, around 20 years ago. Soon as they started explaining the coke situation it gave me fking flashbacks. Especially the "feel like shite" part.
Peter is from Falkirk where I’m staying the noo, I used to be a homeless heroin addict in Glasgow city centre and we need more people like Peter because it saves lives, the Scottish government should have set up safe consumption sites like they were going to afew years ago before it was stopped
I see you responding how you don’t care as if it’s these young people fighting addiction that did anything to China. Hope you know however much you have to be suffering to do some nasty stuff like this online, you are only adding fuel to that fire. So enjoy being miserable because you are only making yourself more miserable. Cheers from Karma
@KatNip unfortunately, certain area of Scotland (eg. Glasgow) have had drugs problems for around 50 years. And it is a shame. It's such a nice place with plenty of lovely people.
I first came across Vice News with an article on soda (specially coke cola) and other sugar drink consumption even replacing water consumption. Did a paper on it for my MPH. But these drug pieces wow! Just wow!
Those who do the real help in society suffer the most, like Peter fighting his own demons while helping others fight similar ones. Social workers, first responders deal with the trauma and pain and often end up harbouring it for others. Should be so proud of himself and what he has accomplished, demonstrates a high level of ambition and intelligence.
scotland’s been messed up with all sort of drugs. from heroine in the 70’ to 90’s to ecstasy and cocaine starting from mid 90’s till today. i really do hope it gets better for my people one day
The idea of simply having possession of your DOC (drug of choice) being a huge part of the addiction is really interesting. I shot heroin for a long time, I've been clean for like 5 years now though, but I remember that when I was using, even when I'd be in full blown withdrawal, as soon as I procured my dope I felt better, before I'd even taken any. That's an interesting aspect of addiction I hadn't ever really considered or examined.
That is really interesting. And worthy of further research imo. Because if it's only the sensory input of seeing/ holding the drug that changes brain chemistry then surely that's worth exploring.
You also feel better when you get the text “I’m on the way.” I was a heroin addict for almost 10 years, the last two years were addicted to fentanyl! I’m clean now, but I remember being dead dog sick and as soon as my dealer said otw I felt 100% better. Addiction is a scary, tricky monster. Congratulations on being sober 💝
Exactly. Even just copping makes very real withdrawal symptoms go away or subside because it's having some kind of physiological effect through just you having that knowledge.
@@simpletownworx Well it's basically the same thing as placebo, psychosomatic phenomena. Placebo is actually considered one of the most reliable functions in all of pharmacology.
We were hit really hard with the cocaine epidemic here in the USA back in the 80's and it lasted very heavy until the early mid 90's. I came thru that era and I saw many many lives destroyed, thru violence, crime, usage and distribution !!!!
"I take it to forget stuff" "I get high to escape reality " two of the most common excuses to continue drug usage. It's a horrible addiction, and they're caught in that web.
As someone that is active in nightlife here in Dundee, it's pretty sickening how nearly every second person is on coke on nights out, it's impossible to avoid.
What the man said about said about the regulated controlled sales of drugs illicit,organic,synthetic and otherwise is true. At this point there's basically an open air market in every major city.
So you're saying the govt should start selling dope?....Bro.... open your eyes... It's about the money. People are never safe.... Especially not from the govt.
trying to pretend people wont do drugs or partake in prostitution or abortion just makes it all that much more dangerous. we cant control people but we can help them be safe. i understand the perspectives of the people who have been harmed by others drug use and lost people but People arent going to stop wanting to take drugs. we need a better way.
Very true. I'm certain I could drive less than an hour and easily find pretty much anything at the bus station, or just walking around the city. I saw an older lady give another what looked like a quarter pound of crystal, in plain view of many, many people. People shooting dope on the sidewalk and in the parks. It's insane.
The drug death number really isn’t accurate. When you take into account the amount of lives lost to suicide as a result of drug use, the number grows to one that really can’t be quantified.
