Nicola Sturgeon rejects claims Scotland has 'forgotten' drugs death crisis
The First Minister and Drugs Minister opened Scotland's first family focused rehabilitation centre in Saltcoats this morning.
Last updated 21st Nov 2022
The First Minister has responded to a charity’s claims that the government have ‘forgotten’ Scotland’s drugs death crisis.
Nicola Sturgeon and Angela Constance, the Scottish Drugs Minister, were in Saltcoats this morning to officially open a family focused residential rehabilitation centre.
Charity concerns
It comes the same morning that charity FAVOR UK (Faces and Voices of Recovery) accused Scottish politicians of ‘forgotten Scotland’s drug deaths crisis’ as they published a report calling for changes to be made in treatment services.
The charity claims there is still a "postcode lottery" in terms of treatment for drug users, with referrals to residential rehabilitation centres branded "inconsistent".
Ms Sturgeon told Clyde 1: “We’ve not forgotten about it. On the contrary we’re working hard every day to address the drugs deaths crisis, and ensure that the right treatment, the right support and options are being put in place to support people that have a drugs misuse problem and to help them turn their lives around.
“In recent times we’ve seen a 20 per cent increase in the number of residential rehabilitation centres that are available in Scotland. So, it’s over 500 now and we have a target to make that 1000 by 2026. So, there is a lot of working ongoing and we’re working hard to progress that as quickly as possible.
Harper House has power 'to turn lives around'
As she toured the halls of the brand-new Harper House facility in Saltcoats, the First Minister added that the new rehabilitation centre will give addicts of all circumstances a ‘variety’ of treatments.
She added: “This family-based unit, is a unique site and the first of its kind. It is a really important development. It’s part of our overall work to increase the number of residential rehabilitation places, but to extend the variety of treatment options that are available to people.”
Drugs Minister, Angela Constance was also in attendance at the opening of Harper House, and said the new facility has the power to ‘turn lives around’.
The facility, run by Pheonix Futures charity with an £8 million Government grant funding, helps parents battling drug or alcohol addiction to get treatment without the fear of being separated from their children.
She told Clyde 1: “The Purpose of our national mission to tackle our drugs deaths crisis is to get more people into treatment that is right for them, and I have no doubt that residential treatment has the power to turn lives around.
“This is a service that will support families as a whole, as well as individual members within families.
“We know there is a disproportionate increase in the number of women who are dying from drug related deaths, but this service will support mums and dads, but crucially giving them support with their children. It means this service will help Scotland keep its promise of keeping families together."
Opposition back FAVOR concerns
The Favor report was launched at an event at Bluevale Community Centre - the same venue where Ms Sturgeon and Tory leader Douglas Ross paid a visit last year.
Mr Ross, who attended the launch, said: "My visit a year ago alongside Nicola Sturgeon should have heralded a major turning point in tackling this crisis.
"Instead, the SNP Government have continued to let down campaigners at every turn and merely paid them lip service.
"That is why campaigners have concluded in their damning report that this crisis has shamefully been forgotten about.
"I carefully listened again to campaigners at Bluevale, and the clear message is that we must act without any further delay."
The Scottish Tory leader also called for the Scottish Government to back his Right to Recovery (Scotland) Bill.