Swinney urged to back Tory drugs bill to 'save lives'

Douglas Ross, leader of the Scottish Conservatives, has demanded the support of the Scottish National Party to pass his bill as soon as possible. Photo: Colin Fisher/Alamy Live News

John Swinney has been called on to support Tory legislation aimed at overcoming the «national disgrace» of Scotland as the drug death capital of Europe.

Douglas Ross, leader of the Scottish Conservatives, will speak at discussing your right to addiction The Recovery (Scotland) Bill, written with experts on the country's drug crisis, at Holyrood on Wednesday.

The legislation will ensure that everyone who needs addiction treatment can access appropriate support, including residential rehabilitation, and will receive support from a range of recovery groups.

Mr Ross called on Mr Swinney , the new First Minister, to support the bill so that it can become law as soon as possible.

He said drug deaths were a «national disgrace for Scotland» and that those involved in drug addiction did not want Scottish National Party ministers. continuing to “dither and delay taking action needed to save lives.”

Scotland’s drug death rate is 2.7 times the UK average and far higher than anywhere else in Europe. However, Glasgow has overtaken Dundee as the worst hotspot.

Before her abrupt resignation last year, Nicola Sturgeon promised to make tackling the scourge her «national mission» and admitted her government was «not paying attention to what's happening.» .”

After reaching a record high of 1,339 deaths in 2020, they fell from the start of 2021 to the end of 2022. However it has started to rise again and Police Scotland estimates it increased by 10 per cent last year.

Unveiling On his legislation, Mr Ross said: “This crisis is our national disgrace and our most vulnerable people cannot continue to see those in charge fail to take the necessary and decisive action required to save lives.”

“As this bill comes to market, in the spirit of what he says he wants to work across the House, I urge John Swinney to support it so that it can become law as quickly as possible.”

The bill was developed jointly with Annemarie Ward, chief executive of Faces and Voices of Recovery, a UK charity that specializes in “representing the voices of communities affected by addiction.”

< p>She said: “Scotland cannot continue to fail the most vulnerable people in society. The drug death crisis is hitting the poorest communities hardest.

“Until the Scottish Parliament overhauls the treatment system, more families will be left broken by the pain of losing a loved one. The Right to Heal Bill will help people at death's door get the treatment they need and deserve.»

The bill will be considered by a select leading committee, with experts likely to give evidence at Holyrood.< /p> >

Its general principles will then be debated and voted on in the Scottish Parliament, with amendments proposed in a second stage before a final vote at which it could become law.

Christina McKelvie, SNP&#39 ;s Drugs and alcohol policy minister, said: “My goal is to take evidence-based measures to save and improve lives.”

“We will take time to consider the details of the bill, including how the problems raised in consultation have been reviewed and we will respond in due course.”