Commenting after the release on Tuesday of the latest figures on Scotland’s drug deaths crisis, Highlands and Islands MSP Jamie Halcro Johnston said:
"These latest statistics continue to paint a harrowing picture of the drugs crisis facing this country, and each and everyone one of the more than 1000 lives lost is a tragedy.
"Scotland still has a rate nearly three times higher than the rest of the United Kingdom, by far the worst rate of all European countries.
“While there has been a reduction in the number of deaths across Scotland – and that is welcome, too many families are losing loved ones and too many communities are still blighted by the scourge of drug abuse and dependency.
“It is extremely worrying that the number of deaths in the NHS Highland area has actually increased to 42 deaths in 2022, up from 35 deaths in the previous year. It is vital that the Scottish Government ensures adequate support and rehab facilities are available right across Scotland and not just in the Central Belt.
“And after years of cutting funding for addiction services, the SNP/Green government must back the Scottish Conservatives’ Right to Recovery Bill which would enshrine in law a person's right to be given whichever treatment option they prefer, from rehab to medical assisted treatment.
“There is no easy or cheap option for tackling the drugs crisis the SNP have allowed to grow on their watch, and serious and focused action from Scottish ministers in Edinburgh is well overdue”.
