Scotland stands at a critical crossroads as the Right to Recovery Bill faced a crucial vote at Holyrood. The Sunday Post has launched an impassioned campaign urging every Scottish politician to put party allegiances aside and support legislation that could transform drug rehabilitation in Scotland for those battling addiction.

The newspaper’s Transform Scotland series has exposed the devastating reality: Scotland remains the worst country in Europe for drug deaths. Current strategies have failed to stem the crisis, with experts warning that without immediate action, thousands more lives will be lost.

A Legal Right to Treatment

The Right to Recovery Bill would establish a legal entitlement for people struggling with substance misuse to access rehabilitation services. Under the proposed legislation, individuals battling drug or alcohol addiction would have guaranteed access to the full range of addiction treatment services within specific timeframes.

However, the bill faced potential defeat as several MSPs planned to vote against it. Addiction specialists issued stark warnings: if politicians missed this opportunity, Scotland might wait years for another chance to improve drug rehabilitation in Scotland and address the nation’s most shameful statistic.

Cross-Party Support Emerges

Despite the political divisions, prominent figures from across the spectrum have backed the Sunday Post’s call to action. Alex Neil, the SNP’s former health secretary, emphasised that drug deaths are “far too important for this issue to come down to party politics.”

Fergus Ewing, an independent MSP and former government drugs minister, warned that blocking the bill would deny Parliament the opportunity to improve it. “Drug addiction destroys young lives, devastates families and is a scandal of our times,” he stated.

Scottish Conservative leader Russell Findlay highlighted that for seven consecutive years, Scotland has held the unwanted title of Europe’s drugs death capital. “Every grieving family knows that the system is not working,” he said.

New Threats on the Horizon

The urgency has intensified with the emergence of nitazenes – synthetic opioids up to 100 times stronger than heroin. Most alarmingly, the first UK factory producing these substances has been discovered in Ayrshire, creating new challenges for addiction recovery services in Scotland.

Addiction worker Sean Toal, whose documentary film Junkie examines the crisis unflinchingly, expressed deep concern about the rapid spread of these deadly drugs. “Five people I personally knew have died this year,” he revealed, adding that official figures don’t reflect the true toll on Scotland’s streets.

Until recently, nitazenes appeared primarily in street drugs that dependent users took. Now, people find them in recreational substances that weekend users take without considering themselves addicts. Public Health Scotland has issued urgent warnings about this development.

Imperfect but Essential

Supporters acknowledge the Right to Recovery Bill isn’t perfect. Annemarie Ward, chief executive of Faces and Voices of Recovery UK, said: “We realise the Right to Recovery Bill has flaws. But if it fails to pass to the second stage where amendments can be made to ensure it is fit for purpose, years of hard work, hope and even more lives will be lost.”

Douglas Ross, the Scottish Conservative MSP who proposed the legislation, recognises it needs refinement. “If it is allowed to fall, more lives will be lost and it will take years before Scotland is in the position to do something tangible again,” he cautioned.

Labour and Liberal Democrat MSPs have pledged their support. Jackie Baillie stated that “the principle that Scots who are trying to beat an alcohol or drug addiction should have a right to rehab is essential” for improving addiction recovery services in Scotland.

Alba MSP Ash Regan framed the vote as a matter of conscience: “Every MSP must ask themselves: when the next family loses a child, what will you say you did to stop the carnage?”

A Window Closing Fast

The Transform Scotland campaign emphasises that organised crime gangs producing these lethal substances care only about profits, not politics or victims. With the addiction landscape changing dramatically – becoming more dangerous and affecting younger people – time is running out.

The Sunday Post encouraged the public to contact their local representatives, urging them to vote with their conscience rather than along party lines. The message was clear: the vote wasn’t about political point-scoring. It was about saving lives through better drug rehabilitation in Scotland.

If the Right to Recovery Bill progresses to the next legislative stage, MSPs will have the opportunity to amend and strengthen it. If it fails, Scotland returns to square one in tackling a public health emergency that shows no sign of abating.

The Scottish Government’s Drugs and Alcohol Policy Minister, Maree Todd, said officials are “carefully considering” the recommendations. But for families who have lost loved ones and those currently battling addiction, they may need more than careful consideration.

Scotland’s shame demands bold action. Thursday’s vote will determine whether politicians are ready to provide it and ensure access to effective drug rehabilitation in Scotland for all who need it.

Source: dbrecoveryresources