Douglas Ross urges MSPs to support plans to tackle drugs deaths crisis

Douglas Ross has appealed to SNP MSPs to back his proposals to tackle Scotland’s drugs deaths crisis.

The Scottish Conservative leader has introduced the Right to Recovery Bill at the Scottish Parliament.

If passed, the legislation would enshrine in law the right of those who need it to access residential rehabilitation.

Since being brought forward, the Bill has achieved enough support in order to be debated at Holyrood.

The proposals were drafted in consultation with experts supporting those suffering with alcohol and drug addiction.

Ross has described the drugs deaths crisis as Scotland’s “national shame”, as he urged MSPs to back the Bill.

Figures by the National Records of Scotland figures showed that 1339 people lost their lives to drugs Scotland in 2020.

The Scottish Government has pledged to tackle the crisis, with drugs policy minister Angela Constance declaring it a public health emergency after she was appointed to her role last year.

Scotland’s drug death figures are a national tragedy.

Our Right to Recovery Bill will guarantee the right to receive the life-saving treatment those affected need including residential rehab.

The public support it and it's time the SNP got off the fence and backed it too👇 pic.twitter.com/njFsXwVtdF
— Scottish Conservatives (@ScotTories) May 26, 2022

“I’m delighted my Right to Recovery Bill has earned the support it needs to now be debated in the Scottish Parliament,” said Ross.

“I truly believe this bill can be a game-changer in tackling the record drug deaths in Scotland, which is our national shame.

“Constituents in Moray have spoken to me about this issue and I believe they see the plan to enshrine the right to access treatment in law as a major step forward.

“I was proud to draft the bill in conjunction with frontline experts and those with experiences of living with addiction.”

Ross underlined the need for MSPs to back the Bill so that the issue of drugs deaths can be tackled.

“The Scottish government can support this and it will pass or they can refuse to back it and we will make no progress on an issue that gets worse every year, with more and more people needlessly losing their lives,” he said.

“I am pleased that the plans for a Right to Recovery have progressed a step further in Parliament and I urge every MSP to support the bill.”