Scotland to stock up on drug used to treat victims of overdoses as funding confirmed

STOCKS of the anti-overdose drug naloxone are to be increased to support addicts during the coronavirus lockdown.

The First Minister said there would be a fund of £166,000 made available to support those with alcohol and drug problems.

A public awareness campaign about where to seek help will be funded by the money, along with increasing the capacity of the Know The Score advice service and linking those going through recovery together with the Scottish Recovery Consortium.

The funding boost will also increase stocks of naloxone, a drug which counters the effects of a drug overdose, helping it to reach more settings.

In 2018, Scotland recorded its highest rate of drug-related deaths, with 1187 – higher than any country in the EU.

The statistics spurred the Scottish and UK governments to host two drug death summits at the SEC in Glasgow in January.

The First Minister said: “We know that times like these, which are difficult for everyone, people will need help dealing with alcohol and drug-related problems, and we want to make sure that help is available.”

Scottish Government officials say the initiatives will be funded using the £93.8 million already allocated in the Scottish budget to tackle alcohol and drug misuse.

Public health minister Joe FitzPatrick said protecting Scots during the outbreak was the Scottish Government’s priority.

He said: “Responding to the coronavirus pandemic is one of the biggest challenges of our lifetime and it will disrupt so many lives like never before.

“Protecting and supporting everyone during these unprecedented times is our priority.”

We want to make sure help is available