By Lucy Ashton
The SNP-Green government cut nearly £20 million from the budget given to organisations supporting those with drug and alcohol problems last year, the Scottish Conservatives can reveal today.
The “shocking and shameful” cuts were revealed to the party’s shadow drugs minister Sue Webber in response to her Parliamentary written question to new SNP Minister for Drugs and Alcohol Policy Elena Whitham, pictured right.
The minister confirmed that the budget in 2022-23 for third sector organisations who have a focus on supporting those with drug and alcohol addiction issues had fallen to £111.2 million.
In 2021-22, the budget stood at £130.1 million. The majority of the £18.9 million cuts to the budget have been imposed on alcohol and drug partnership commissioning services within Scotland’s 14 health boards, with their budget being reduced from £106.5 million to £89.3 million.
The figures come against a backdrop of Scotland having by far the highest drugs death rate in Europe. In 2021 alone, 1,330 people lost their lives to drugs.
Alcohol deaths are also at their highest level since 2008 in Scotland on the SNP’s watch, with 1,245 people losing their lives in 2022.
Sue Webber says it “beggars belief” that the SNP-Green government gave the green light to taking millions away from vital frontline organisations with so many Scots needing support in fighting addiction.
She says that it is “further damning evidence” that the SNP-Green government are continuing to take their eye off the ball on this issue and are leaving third sector organisations to do their job with “one hand tied behind their back”.
Sue Webber has urged Elena Whitham to reverse these cuts immediately and finally confirm that she will back Scottish Conservatives plans for a Right to Recovery Bill, which has secured cross-party support in Holyrood.
The Bill – which was written in conjunction with frontline experts like FAVOR – would guarantee a right to access rehabilitation treatment for everyone who needs it.
Scottish Conservative shadow drugs minister Sue Webber MSP, said: “These cuts to frontline drug and alcohol support services are shocking and shameful.
“Drug deaths are a national scandal in Scotland and our death rate is far and away the highest in Europe. Alcohol deaths are also at their highest rate since 2008 on the SNP’s watch.
“Third sector organisations play a hugely important role on the frontline in supporting those who are suffering with drug and alcohol addiction and I praise all the work they do.
“It beggars belief that the SNP-Green government have imposed these cuts on them given the horrendous situation facing us year after year when statistics are revealed in relation to deaths from drugs or alcohol.
Alcoholics assemble in the park for a morning “refreshment”.
“These cuts are further damning evidence that ministers have taken their eye off the ball – as Nicola Sturgeon once admitted she did – and has left these organisations to do their job with one hand tied behind their back.
“The SNP-Green government also cannot continue to drag their heels on backing Scottish Conservative plans for a Right to Recovery Bill. We keep hearing warm words from ministers, but they have failed to confirm they are going to back it.
“The Bill was written in conjunction with frontline experts and has cross-party support, as well as overwhelming backing from the public. It would guarantee a right to access treatment for everyone who needs it.
“The new SNP drugs and alcohol minister should finally give her backing to this bill, as well as reversing these deeply damaging cuts imposed on third sector organisations immediately.”
So, they want to reduce drug deaths but force people against their will to take psych drugs. In other words, the doctors want their commission and not give it to street sellers. The doctors who can take away all your human rights want to be the only option.