Scottish National Party (SNP) ministers are under scrutiny for failing to significantly increase the number of rehabilitation beds available to combat Scotland’s drug death crisis. Despite a pre-election pledge to boost rehab slots by 50%, from 425 to 650 by March 2026, only 32 new beds have been added in the past three years. This modest increase comes amid ongoing high rates of drug-related deaths and criticisms that current efforts focus too much on managing addictions rather than providing recovery solutions.

A Public Health Scotland report highlighted that only 32 out of a planned 172 new beds are operational, representing an 8% increase. The rise primarily benefits individuals with children and those accessing NHS Lothian services, leaving other groups unaffected. Barriers to accessing rehab, such as insufficient funding, long waiting times, and housing challenges, remain significant obstacles. Critics, including charity leaders and rehab service providers, are calling for a greater commitment to expanding and improving rehabilitation facilities.

Source: The Scottish Sun