Addicts need prompt treatment to win war on drugs says MSP

Hundreds of Scots with drug and alcohol problems are waiting too long for treatment, affecting Scotland’s ability to combat drug use an MSP has claimed.

Currently 364 patients have been waiting more than six weeks for NHS help to tackle drug and alcohol addiction, around 14 per cent of all those seeking support. According to the latest NHS Scotland statistics, some people are even being forced to wait more than 18 weeks for treatment to start.

The figures come just a week after it was revealed that drug 0 Joe Fitzpatrick: Standard waiting times are met

deaths in Scotland for 2018 could reach 1,100 – breaching the 1,000 mark for the first time.

Scottish Conservative public health spokeswoman Annie Wells said the war on drugs would not be won if addicts did not receive timely help.

She said: “Scotland is getting worse at providing prompt help to patients with drug and alcohol problems.

“This should be an absolute priority for the SNP government to sort out.”

The figures also show a total of 10,550 people began treatment between October and December last year, and 93.9 per cent were seen in three weeks or under meeting the Scottish Government’s 90 per cent target.

Public health minister Joe Fitzpatrick said standard waiting times “continue to be met on a national basis”.