Highlands and Islands MSP Douglas Ross has hailed the overwhelming support shown for the Right to Recovery Bill he has brought forward in the Scottish Parliament.
The Scottish Conservative Leader brought forward the plans in October last year, in conjunction with frontline expert groups. The Right to Recovery Bill would enshrine in law a right to treatment for those suffering with addiction.
His party have now published the consultation responses, which showed that over three-quarters of those who responded were in favour of it.
That paves the way for the Bill to be brought forward in the Scottish Parliament with Douglas hoping there will be cross-party support for the planned legislation and his fellow MSPs will listen to expert individuals such as Annemarie Ward from Charity FAVOR UK, who has backed the bill from the outset.
Douglas says that drug deaths are Scotland’s national shame and there is an urgent need for people in Moray to access the treatment they need, which can often be made even harder in rural and remote communities.
Highlands and Islands MSP Douglas Ross said: “I am extremely pleased to see such a positive response to the Right to Recovery Bill I am bringing forward. I would like to thank all the individuals, charities and organisations who took the time to express their thoughts on these proposals.
“Drug deaths are Scotland’s national shame and while Moray has often seen lower rates- they have still blighted many communities. One death as a result of drugs is one too many.
“I was proud to bring forward these plans to enshrine in law access to treatment for those suffering with addiction, in conjunction with frontline experts. They are in agreement that a lack of access to the right recovery treatments has been a major factor in seeing the shocking increases in drug deaths.
“That must change as a matter of urgency so we can get that support to people across our communities here in Moray and right across Scotland. That lack of access is often exacerbated in our rural and remote communities.
“I will now be pushing this bill forward and seeking cross-party support in the Parliament, including from the SNP Government. I hope they can urgently get behind this legislation to fix Scotland’s broken treatment system.”