Scottish Conservative and Unionist MSP for the Lothian Region and Shadow Minister for Drugs Policy, Sue Webber, has called on Nicola Sturgeon to back her party’s plans for a ‘Right to Recovery Bill’ to help tackle drug deaths in Edinburgh.
Sue Webber’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.
In Edinburgh 64 deaths from January to June 2021 were suspected to have died as a result of drugs in the first six months of 2021.
That was an increase of 25 on the equivalent months in 2020.
Sue Webber MSP says that the Scottish Conservative plans for a right to recovery to be enshrined in law, would guarantee those in Edinburgh needing access to treatment would get it.
Commenting, Scottish Conservative and Unionist MSP Sue Webber said: “The number of people suspected of losing their lives to drugs in Edinburgh is shocking and heart-breaking.
“My thoughts are with anyone who has lost a loved one as a result of drugs.
“The drug deaths crisis is a national scandal and is only continuing on an upward trajectory. It has occurred on Nicola Sturgeon and the SNP’s watch. She took her eye off the ball and is still failing to tackle this crisis in NHS Lothian.
“It is time Nicola Sturgeon backed Scottish Conservative plans for a Right to Recovery Bill. That would guarantee everyone who needs treatment in Edinburgh 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.”
