More than 400 waiting too long for alcohol or drug treatment

After new figures revealed that more than 400 people requiring drug or alcohol treatment waited longer than the three-week target, Scottish Liberal Democrat Alex Cole-Hamilton MSP has today called on the SNP/Green government to take “radical and transformational” action to support all those suffering.    

In 2011, the Scottish Government set a Standard that 90% of people referred for help with drug or alcohol use will wait no longer than three weeks for treatment.  

However, Public Health Scotland data shows that:

• As at 30th June 2023, 2,433 community treatment referrals had not started treatment, with 16% (401 people) waiting more than the three-week target for treatment.  
• In the quarter ending 30th June 2023, 4 health boards missed the three- week target for treatment. They were NHS Highland, NHS Lothian, NHS Fife and NHS Western Isles.

Additionally, the Scottish Government’s Annual Alcohol and Drug Partnership Survey, which has also been published today, shows that nearly 2 in 3 Alcohol and Drug Partnership areas are reporting "insufficient funds" as a barrier to implementing standards for helping people access medical, psychological and social support.    

These standards (Medical Assisted Treatment standards) were described by former Drugs Minister Angela Constance as “crucially important.” Speaking about the standards, she told Parliament that her view “is unequivocal- they must be delivered.”  

Mr Cole-Hamilton said:   

“By failing to move beyond the well-meaning words and promises, this SNP government has presided over a public health disaster and drug deaths that are now many times worse than anywhere else in Europe.  

“Today’s disappointing figures show that the Scottish Government are still falling short on so many measures of good care. Extended waits for those in urgent need can be a matter of life and death.  

“That is why the Scottish Government must deliver radical and transformational action to help all those suffering. This must mean protecting and strengthening the drugs and alcohol budgets so that everyone can access care when they need it.”