‘Trainspotting’ turned a spotlight on Scotland’s heroin problem. 25 years on, it’s Europe’s drug death capital

It’s one of the most famous monologues in cinematic history: “Choose life,” says Ewan McGregor in the 1996 film adaptation of “Trainspotting,” Irvine Welsh’s gritty novel about a group of drug addict friends living in Edinburgh.

It’s one of the most famous monologues in cinematic history: “Choose life,” says Ewan McGregor in the 1996 film adaptation of “Trainspotting,” Irvine Welsh’s gritty novel about a group of drug addict friends living in Edinburgh.