Irvine Welsh: Scotland has a new Trainspotting generation

The novel and movie Trainspotting defined Scotland's drug problem.

Following the lives of a group of friends in Edinburgh, it depicted communities destroyed by heroin addiction.

Have things changed?

Sky News speaks to the novel's author Irvine Welsh on a day when figures showed a record drop in a drug deaths in Scotland - but the country remains the drug death capital of Europe.

He says the Trainspotting generation has simply been replaced by another who have no prospects of escaping addiction and deprivation.

"People do not have the choice now, there's no avenues of social mobility left out of that desperation," he said.

"When you don't have anything else, drugs win by default."

#drugaddiction #drugdeaths #scotland #dundee

[ryandudley]

“Techno serfs, tied into cloud fiefdoms” - what a line !

[mattkinsella]

"No avenues left for social mobility". Sadly in 2023 that is a horrific reality and a dreadful legacy for all governments over the last 25 years, from all sides of the political spectrum.

[bigdaz]

I have always loved Welsh's writing and social commentary, dude is so tuned in, clinical and compelling, the polar opposite to our Political midgets.

[robertpalmer]

Extremely intelligent man. Bang on about the dopamine hits to take away pain for a while. Westminster isn't letting the Scottish government do what they want when it comes to treating addicts when the status quo clearly isn't working.

[SolarmaneTheProducer]

met irvine when i went to rehab in Leith, the guy couldnt of been more sound and took time to ask about me n wished me well!

[Kat-ke]

Some people don't realise this problem is so bad in Scotland. Irvine Welsh speaks the truth and also about the transition from alcohol which is all substance abuse. I have never liked the poetry of Rabbie Burns.

[hemtet]

He’s not the most charismatic of speakers but the words are worth paying attention to and I always do.

[eye]

I read Trainspotting, reading Porno, and recently bought Skagboys and Dead Men's Trousers. Strange coincidence to be shown this video. Happy to support such an author.

[robbiemontgomery]

Trauma is the root cause of addiction, Scotland is a traumatised nation.

[anglebars]

I personally believe the weather and the darker evenings have a huge effect, especially for alcohol consumption and then eventually onto drug use. Dark and wet nights in the cities when the outdoors of Scotland are absolutely stunning.

[aion]

It's probably a rubbish idea but what about National Service? Young people would be taken out of their communities, have some structure, get fit and be given training. Activities like mountaineering offer challenges and a sense of working as a team. It might be more exciting than being depressed, feeling hopeless and just lazing around.

[stevenburns]

Irvine just tells it straight. Need more like him.

[robertskolimowski]

Very good, unflinchingly honest interview👏👍✌️

[Wuus]

Switched over to drugs because they raised alcohol prices

[JJLYOUTUBE]

What's the difference between drinking a bottle of wine at home after a days work than taking drugs every day? Absolutely none.
The government needs to legalise drugs

[robsmithadventures]

I think the aspiration for each generation is that things would better for them than it was for their parents. Sadly this is not true anymore.

[imaginaryboys]

Spoke more truth in 3 minutes than the Scottish assembly has in thirty years

[ryandudley]

Choose art and creativity, youth of Britain: we need it now more than ever!

[juskahusk]

Drug deaths are falling? We need to do something before we lose our position as European champions!!!

[piercehubbard]

Wow he’s incredibly well-spoken and intelligent.