Rehab success is just the beginning

FRANCIS McGowan’s harrowing life story plainly struck a cord with Scotland’s drugs minister Angela Constance.

After begging for rehab for years, it now looks like he may be fast-tracked into treatment.

There is no doubt that Francis is benefiting from the exposure in the pages of the Daily Record.

Many others undoubtedly will be reading and hoping that they can access the treatment they have been denied.

The Record has made a commitment to holding the Scottish Government to account on its drugs policy.

But the truth is people like Francis should, by now, be immersed in a treatment programme that suits their needs and their expectations. It is their right. Angela Constance has said the right things since her appointment last December and there’s no doubt that she has passionately set about making things better for a neglected and betrayed sub-class of Scots.

But her promise to do “much more, better and faster” with drugs programmes falls apart if that message is not trumpeted to every local authority that delivers the services.

North Lanarkshire’s Alcohol and Drugs Partnership appears to have leapt into action only after our revelations about Francis and his fear of having to spend the rest of his life on methadone.

But those who are most at risk need to get into the best treatment right now.

Francis accessing rehab, if it happens, may be seen as a token effort as it stands.

But he can also stand as a symbol of hope for others.

And as a reminder that services need to be delivered immediately if lives are to be saved.