Day: July 12, 2024

TRUST: Scottish Ambulance Service expands drug-related emergency initiative after successful pilot

The Scottish Ambulance Service is expanding our TRUST campaign Scotland-wide

An initiative to encourage young people to call 999 in a drug-related emergency is being expanded following a successful pilot, the Scottish Ambulance Service has announced.

The TRUST initiative – Take it Seriously, Ring 999, Use first aid skills, Stay with them, Tell us what they’ve taken – aims to educate and support young people who may avoid or delay phoning for an ambulance when they or their friends experience a drug-related emergency due to perceived fear of repercussions. It also covers what an emergency situation may look like and what to look out for.

Following the successful pilot in some Fife and Glasgow secondary schools, SAS will be expanding the campaign across Scotland where TRUST resources will be embedded into local drug education offerings, providing young people with the chance to also hear first-hand from emergency staff about their roles.

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Kira Watson, Clinical Effectiveness Lead for Drug Harm Reduction – East, said: “The TRUST initiative has been designed to show young people that the Scottish Ambulance Service is here to help them.

“As summer holidays and festival season continue, drug related incidents increase, and we want to make sure young people aren’t afraid to quickly seek help when they or their friends need it. Once they have received treatment, we can also make the appropriate referrals for on-going support, information and advice.”

Christina McKelvie, Minister for Drugs and Alcohol Policy, said: “I welcome the expansion of the TRUST initiative, which can save lives by supporting and educating young people involved in a drugs emergency.

“Through our £250 million National Mission on drugs, we are taking a wide range of measures to reduce harm and save lives – including supporting the opening of a Safe Drug Consumption Facility pilot, widening access to Naloxone and delivering drug-checking facilities which will enable us to respond faster to emerging drug trends.”

If you think TRUST would be of benefit to your local school or community space, email sas.drug-harm@nhs.scot for more information.

TRUST Campaign leaflet and poster are available for download here.

@HarmLeads

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Council announces Old Town road closures July to September

Festival street access in Old Town

With the summer festivals season fast approaching, we’re making temporary changes to the way some of our streets in the Old Town operate between 15 July and 30 September 2024.

We know that residents, businesses and visitors face challenges in the Old Town during the busy summer festival period.

To make the streets easier and safer to walk around, we are putting in place temporary arrangements between 15 July and 30 September 2024.

You can find more information on roadworks and travel disruptions by following Edintravel on

There will also be short-term restrictions for other events. Information on those restrictions will be published on street and at www.edinburgh.gov.uk/edintravel as and when they are available.

If you have any questions about these closures, please email us. This mailbox will be monitored regularly during working hours and we will respond as quickly as possible.

Council Leader Cammy Day said: “Whilst we’re rightly proud to be welcoming performers and visitors from all over the world for our summer festivals, we need to make sure this influx is managed safely and properly.

“We’ve made temporary successful changes to streets in the Old Town during this period for a number of years and I’m sure this summer will be no different.

“I’d like to thank our residents and businesses for their understanding as we get ready to showcase Edinburgh as the world’s cultural capital once again.”

Blue Badge holders

Blue Badge holders can park at all Pay and Display, Shared Use, yellow lines (without loading prohibition) free of charge and without time limit. Blue Badge holders can also get a free residents’ parking permit if they do not already have one.

Home deliveries

If you are planning any shopping or other deliveries to your home, you should organise for them to arrive when the streets are open. Outside these times, and in some closed streets, delivery drivers may need to park some distance away from you. We would be grateful if you could make sure that your delivery drivers/companies are aware of the changes. Goods delivered by bike or on foot will not be affected.

Loading and servicing for businesses

You will need to make sure that your business waste collections are completed before the affected streets close. You may have to place your waste collection in an alternative location.

We have contacted trade waste companies to make them aware of these changes.

The changes also mean that loading and servicing must take place during the period the streets are open, generally overnight between 7pm and 10.30am.

Outside of these times, and in some closed streets, suppliers and delivery drivers may need to park some distance away from your location to make deliveries.

Please make sure that your supplier or delivery drivers are aware of the changes and the potential impacts on their delivery schedules.

Places of worship

If you need closer access for worship or ceremonies during vehicle-free hours, email us in advance to let us know what you need. Our team will work hard to try to help wherever possible.

Special arrangements

We realise there may be a few specific, one-off reasons where you may need to arrange for vehicle access – for example if you are moving into a new property and need access for a removals vehicle. In these instances, please email us in advance.

We recognise that these changes may impact on your daily activities and we are extremely grateful for your patience and support with making Edinburgh a welcoming city.

If you have any questions about these closures, please email us at:

oldtownstreets@edinburgh.gov.uk  

This mailbox will be monitored regularly during working hours, and we will respond as quickly as possible.