UK - Road to recovery (New national Scottish Drugs Strategy)

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Road to recovery

Minister for Community Safety Fergus Ewing will discuss the delivery of the new national drugs strategy with professionals, voluntary groups and service users during a visit to Glasgow today.

He will join Tom Divers, Chief Executive NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde Health Board, Stevie Lydon Strategic Coordinator for Glasgow and Clyde Drug and Alcohol Action Teams and Neil Hunter Joint General Manager of Glasgow Addiction Services for an event to discuss the strategy in Glasgow

The national drugs strategy was published on May 29 and unanimously endorsed by the Parliament on June 4. It places the promotion of recovery at the centre of work to tackle drug use and should help cut the estimated annual £2.6 billion financial cost of problem drug use to the Scottish economy and society.

Mr Ewing said:

"I'm making a series of visits to meet those at the forefront of delivering the new national drugs strategy. I'm delighted to hear first hand from the professionals, voluntary groups and service users about their experience of tackling the various problems which drugs misuse poses for communities in Glasgow.

"The strategy marks a new phase in tackling drug misuse and places recovery at its heart. It was developed after consultation with experts, practitioners, service users and other key interests.

"Individuals need timely access to services that go beyond simply reducing risk and harm. Services should support people to move on, towards a drug-free life, as active and contributing members of society. To give effect to this new focus on recovery will require the efforts and commitment of all local partners.

"From enhancing the skills and knowledge of the substance misuse workforce to acting to improve the life-chances of children in substance misusing families, the strategy sets the foundations for a sustained drive to recover lives and reduce the social and economic costs of drugs to our communities."

Neil Hunter, Joint General Manager of Glasgow Addiction Services, a partnership between NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde and Glasgow City Council.

He said:

"Four years ago NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde and Glasgow City Council set-up a joint partnership that has emphasised the work that underpins recovery such as training, employment and education.

"In that time we have also improved access to rehabilitation in community and residential settings and sharpened our focus on protecting children's welfare while also reducing drug deaths and tackling waiting times.

"We remain fully committed to working with our other partners so we can make real differences to people's lives by delivering the widest possible range of initiatives and treatment services.

"Significant steps have been taken, but obviously there is much still to do. Therefore we welcome the Minister's contribution in Glasgow and look forward to assisting with the Road to Recovery."

From The Scottish Government Website