The drugs deaths crisis in Scotland is "absolutely not forgotten", Nicola Sturgeon has insisted.
A report by the Faces and Voices of Recovery (FAVOR) charity warned today there has been little progress towards reducing the number of people losing their lives to substance abuse.
The First Minister insisted work was on-going to help those suffering from addiction as she officially opened a new family drugs treatment service in Saltcoats, North Ayrshire.
The Harper House facility helps parents battling drug or alcohol addiction to get treatment without the fear of being separated from their children.
When asked whether she agreed with FAVOR's assessment of a forgotten crisis, Sturgeon said: "No, absolutely not. And manifestly, it’s not been forgotten, on the contrary, the work that has been done, which is by no means completed yet, is being shown in facilities like this."
Sturgeon said the facility showed the "real work" that is under way to tackle the crisis after official records revealed there were 1,300 drug related deaths in Scotland in 2021 – nine fewer than the previous year.
She added: "This is a facility that is being made possible through partnership with the Scottish Government and significant funding from the Scottish Government.
"It’s one example of a broader range of treatment options and services that we want to make available for people with a drug misuse problem so that they can rebuild their lives with the support they need around them."
The Scottish Government’s target of funding 1,000 yearly rehab placements for problematic drugs use by 2026 is still achievable despite concerns from campaigners, the First Minister insisted.
Sturgeon added: "We’ve seen a 20 per cent increase in residential rehabilitation places already, so now more than 500, with continued investment from the Scottish Government to ensure that that is a target and aspiration we are able to meet."
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