Craig Hoy, a Conservative MSP for South Scotland, has called for a ‘Right to Recovery Bill’ to help tackle drug deaths in Lothian and Borders.
Craig’s call comes after new statistics revealed that there were 722 suspected drug deaths in Scotland in the first half of this year.
If that trend continues, there will be another record high of drug deaths this year, after 2020 saw a new record of 1339 drug-related deaths in Scotland.
In Lothian and Borders, 48 people were suspected to have died as a result of drugs in the first six months of 2021.
That was an increase on the equivalent months in 2020, which was previously the highest number of drug deaths on record for the area.
Craig is calling on right to recovery to be enshrined in law, which would guarantee those in Lothian and Borders needing access to treatment to get it.
Commenting, Craig said: “The number of people suspected of losing their lives to drugs in Lothian and Borders is shocking and heartbreaking.
“My thoughts are with anyone who has lost a loved one as a result of drugs.
“The drug deaths crisis is a national scandal and is only continuing on an upward trajectory. It has occurred on Nicola Sturgeon and the SNP’s watch. She took her eye off the ball and is still failing to tackle this crisis in Lothian and Borders.
“It is time Nicola Sturgeon backed Scottish Conservative plans for a Right to Recovery Bill. That would guarantee everyone who needs treatment in Lothian and Borders would get it.
“A Right to Recovery is backed by frontline experts and organisations and should be backed urgently by the SNP-Green Government and I will continue to push them to do so.”
