Brian Whittle, the Scottish Conservative MSP for South Scotland, has called on Nicola Sturgeon to back his party’s plans for a ‘Right to Recovery Bill’ to help tackle drug deaths in Ayrshire.
Brian’s call comes after new statistics revealed that there were 722 suspected drug deaths in Scotland in the first half of this year.
If that trend continues, there will be another shameful record high of drug deaths this year, after 2020 saw a new record of 1339 drug-related deaths in Scotland.
Across Ayrshire, 60 people were suspected to have died as a result of drugs in the first six months of 2021.
That was only 4 fewer than the equivalent months in 2020.
Brian says that the Scottish Conservative plans for a right to recovery to be enshrined in law, would guarantee those in Ayrshire needing access to treatment would get it.
Brian Whittle MSP said: “The number of people suspected of losing their lives to drugs in Ayrshire is deeply concerning and devastating for the families who have lost a loved one.
“The drug deaths crisis is a national scandal and it continues to get worse. This has happened on the SNP’s watch and Nicola Sturgeon has to accept her responsibility. She took her eye off the ball and is still failing to tackle this crisis.
"The Scottish Government must accept that they have failed to get a grip of the situation and give proper support to the many community organisations and charities who are working so hard to make a difference.
“It is time Nicola Sturgeon backed Scottish Conservative plans for a Right to Recovery Bill. That would guarantee everyone who needs treatment in Ayrshire and across Scotland would get it.
“A Right to Recovery is backed by frontline experts and organisations and should be backed urgently by the SNP-Green Government and I will continue to push them to do so.”
