Fitzpatrick must resign. That would be an appropriate level of contrition on the part of this administration and would bring the temperature down slightly. I mean no ill will. But the recovery community and many in the sector generally have have lost faith in his leadership.

This drug crisis is a wicked problem, let us not pretend otherwise. However, we require a govt figurehead who commands respect and demonstrates humility. Joe was still dropping 'world leading' hubris into his statement today - wholly inappropriate.

I would hate to think that political calculations are being made behind the scenes that the public outcry in relation to this issue is insufficient to warrant a serious response. Today was an opportunity to draw a line under a horrendous few years. Admit failures. Apologise.

Instead, we got deflection after deflection. The Lord Advocate now being talked about like some mythical magic 8 ball, buried deep in the foundations of Dynamic Earth, who must be consulted like some ill-tempered sage. All these officials are accountable to we, THE PEOPLE.

I’m disappointed the First Minister has not seen fit to address this matter more directly. Fitzpatrick is playing the role of political human shield, all the more tragic given he has no real authority but has to carry the can in public.

He cut a lonely figure in parliament today. His body language, tone, and general demeanor, from the shoulder shrugging, constant deflection, to reading notes scrawled on his left hand, he looks and sounds defeated. A man startled by the headlights of his own brief.

I’m disappointed that the First Minister has not seen fit to address this matter directly. Fitzpatrick is playing the role of human shield. It is sad on so many levels. He is being humiliated, despite having no real authority. A carrier pigeon, dispatched from Bute House.

I want to see the FM confront this drug death scandal with the same grasp of detail, the same level of energy and the same emotionally intelligent tone as she has consistently shown throughout this pandemic. We appreciate you are busy, but this deserves your time and attention x

I do not believe (as some suggest) that the govt is uncaring. The responsibility at that level is immense. We all understand this. It would come as an immense comfort to those affected to know the FM regards this as a top priority. That she recognises mistakes have been made.

We in the recovery community are well aware that much politics is at play here, unfortunately, we are left with no choice but to rely on opposition politicians to relay to you what we tell them directly. That is the position the Scot Gov has put us in.

Do you know how it feels to be told you friend died in her sleep? Your pal hung himself? Your buddy jumped off a bridge? These are the horrible facts with which families are being confronted every single day.

Do you know what it is like to attend a Covid funeral, where pamphlets are ruined by hand sanitizer and ministers preach to empty churches while the grief is livestreamed? This becomes an obscene parody when deaths are so preventable.

I do not enjoy criticising politicians. I feel great empathy for them and every time I am done laying into someone for the day I go to bed and think about them. I worry I may have hurt them. I question my motives. It troubles me greatly, but it must be done.

I can assure you that if public anger and outcry is the only way to bring about change in this country then that is exactly what you will get. But it does not have to be that way. You can just hold up your hands, admit we are getting this wrong, and get serious.