WE’VE FAILED ADDICTS
Activists call for meaningful action as care providers blast current system
THERE has been a “collective failure” in addressing Scotland’s drug deaths crisis, NHS professionals believe.
A report issued today by the Mental Welfare Commission reveals that 77 per cent of those providing care for drug and alcohol addiction believe services are inadequate.
The scathing verdict comes despite a vow by drugs policy minister Angela Constance to improve services for addicts following a Record campaign to highlight the drug death crisis. Dr Arun Chopra, medical director of the Mental Welfare Commission, said: “Rather than create new strategies, we call on services to deliver the strategies already in place, and on government to monitor this and report on progress in 12 months.
“Our collective failure in dealing with this crisis is not for want of a lack of evidence or guidance on how to tackle it.
“There are abundant policies, guides and standards at a national level but we found a failure to implement them at local level.
“There is also a lack of recognition of the need to address substance use and mental illness concurrently.”
Scottish Labour MSP Claire Baker said: “Since the public health emergency was declared three years ago there have been numerous policy announcements but it’s clear that these haven’t translated into a reality for those on the ground.”
She added: “Dr Chopra is right. We don’t need more strategies. What we need is action.”
Annemarie Ward, of the FAVOR UK addiction charity, said: “Until measures and targets that have consequences if not met are in place, we will continue to witness the growing tsunami of deaths.
“In many cases the addiction is not addressed, where people are managed on long-term medication without any plans to help those involved to recover.”
The report found that 77 per cent of professionals said documented care planning did not happen despite “clear guidance” on their importance. Alcohol and drug misuse was a factor in between 48 and 56 per cent of all suicides between 2008 and 2018 in Scotland, it added.
GPs reported referrals can be declined from community mental health services due to drug or alcohol use, meaning they can be caught in a cycle.
A Scottish Government spokesperson said: “There is a raft of activity under way to implement improvements designed to lead to more effective and joined-up care.
“We’ll consider the report from the commission and work closely with local authorities, health and social care partnerships and NHS Education to consider its findings.”