More than a third of MSPs think Scotland`s drug policies are working despite a record number of drug deaths last year, a survey suggests.
About 35% of MSPs surveyed by the independent UK Drugs Policy Commission think Scotland's policies are effective in tackling the problem of illegal drugs. Despite the much lower death toll in England and Wales, just 17% of Westminster MPs have faith in the wider UK drugs policy.
While 60% of MSPs said Scotland`s drug policies are ineffective in tackling substance misuse, many could not decide on a solution beyond more devolution.
Just over a quarter (27%) thought Scotland should decriminalise the possession of small quantities of drugs for personal use. Over half of MSPs (51%) disagreed but a sizeable number (19%) were unable to make their mind up either way.
The same percentage of MSPs could not decide whether more evidence and research was needed, with 70% saying yes, 10% saying no and 19% saying they did not know.
MSPs are revealed as the most indecisive of all UK politicians on drugs policy, except when it comes to the need for more powers to be handed to the Scottish Parliament.
In a result that broadly mirrors the political make-up of the SNP-controlled Scottish Parliament, 68% said Scotland should have more powers over drugs policy, including deciding on drug control laws, against 26% who disagreed and 2% who were undecided.
This contrasts with the Welsh Assembly, where the unionist parties hold sway, which saw 44% of AMs call for more powers, 48% happy with the status quo and the remainder being undecided.
Westminster MPs were the most decisive when it came to drugs policy, with 57% rejecting limited decriminalisation, 31% advocating it and 12% undecided. Some 76% of MPs called for more evidence and research, against 16% who thought it was not required and 6% who were undecided.
There were 584 drugs deaths in Scotland last year, amounting to 11 deaths for every 100,000 people north of the border. This compares with 2,652 drugs death in England and Wales, amounting to under five deaths per 100,000 people.
