> The Right to Addiction Recovery (Scotland) Bill, a landmark piece of legislation aimed at ensuring accessible support for addiction treatment, was introduced into the Scottish Parliament today. It received significant support - around 80% - during its consultation period, including backing from various recovery groups, the homeless charity Cyrenians and the Scottish Tenants Organisation.
> Spearheaded by the Scottish Conservatives, and developed with input from frontline experts such as Annemarie Ward, CEO of FAVOR UK, the Bill is seeking urgent government support from the new SNP First Minister, John Swinney, for its swift enactment into law.
Commenting on the importance of the Right to Recovery Bill, Highlands and Islands MSP Jamie Halcro Johnston said:
"Scotland already has the worst record of drug deaths in the whole of Europe and it has only been getting worse.
"Too many people think this is just an urban problem, but drugs affect the lives of individuals and families across Scotland, including in too many rural and island communities in the Highlands and Islands.
"The Right to Recovery Bill, written and developed in consultation with frontline experts, marks a pivotal moment in our legislative landscape. It seeks to enshrine in law access to tailored addiction treatment solutions, including residential rehabilitation.
"Inaction by successive Scottish ministers has already taken its toll with more lives ruined or lost. And as my Scottish Conservative colleague, Douglas Ross, launched the Bill, he invited the First Minister to work together across party lines and accelerate the passage of this important legislation.
“By backing our bill, the Scottish Government, and MSPs from across the Scottish Parliament, can help usher in a new era of recovery and resilience for Scotland. One that is long overdue”.
ENDS
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