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15 Sep 2012
The number of drug rehabilitation centres across Scotland has been cut by a fifth, despite soaring numbers of drugs deaths.
There are now only 23 services in the country, compared to 29 in 2008/09, with record amounts being spent on methadone.
Figures released last month revealed methadone kills more people in Scotland than the very drug it is supposed to help people beat.
The Scottish Conservatives want the SNP to increase provision of rehabilitation centres as an alternative to methadone.
Scottish Conservative health spokesman and deputy leader Jackson Carlaw MSP said:
“At a time when drugs deaths are reaching record levels, why on earth are these crucial centres closing?
“It seems the SNP would rather throw millions at parking people on methadone instead of taking them into a centre and giving them high-quality care and attention.
“This proves that the Scottish Government wants to shut its eyes and hope the problem goes away.
“These centres provide the best opportunity for people with drug addiction issues to beat their habit.
“Instead, they are being closed down with no hope of being replaced.
“Recent statistics showed the methadone programme to be the human disaster we all know it is.
“It is legalised drug-taking on an industrial scale.”
Notes to Editors
Number of residential/inpatient services since 2008/9:
2008/09 – 29
2009/10 – 26
2010/11 – 25
2011/12 – 23
