£2m boost to residential rehab funding

The Scottish Government has launched a £2 million fund for residential rehabilitation for those struggling with addiction.

The additional placement fund will aim to allow alcohol and drug partnerships (ADPs) to more easily access funding when demand is high.

The announcement comes as Tory MSP Douglas Ross’s Right to Recovery (Scotland) Bill looks at risk of falling at the first parliamentary hurdle this week.

If passed, the legislation would enshrine a legal right for people to get the help they want to fight addiction, but the majority of Holyrood’s Health, Social Care and Sport Committee said the Bill was “not the right vehicle”.

Announcing the funding boost at the Phoenix Futures residential service in Glasgow, drugs minister Maree Todd said: “Improving access to residential rehab is a key part of the national mission to reduce drug deaths and improve lives.

“Public Health Scotland recently confirmed that 984 people started a publicly funded residential rehab placement and that we are on track to reach our target of 1,000 people being publicly funded to go to residential rehab by 2026.

“But we want to go further. We have provided a record £115 million direct to local ADPs – but have also listened to what residential rehabilitation providers and those with lived experience have told us about improving access.

“This fund ensures that extra – and longer – placements are more readily available.

“The fund has already helped dozens of people and extending it will provide even more support.”

While Phoenix Futures chief executive Karen Biggs welcomed the funding, adding: “At Phoenix Futures, we see every day the life-changing impact that residential treatment has on people, families, and communities across Scotland.

“This extension will help increase equity of access for those who might otherwise struggle to receive the support they need.

“We are pleased to see the Scottish Government’s recognition of the importance of residential treatment and its efforts to ensure that those in greatest need are not left behind.

“We look forward to continuing to work with the Scottish Government and colleagues across the sector to build a sustainable and equitable system that ensures consistent access to residential treatment for everyone who needs it.”

Responding to the announcement, Mr Ross said: “This funding, while welcome, is a drop in the ocean compared to what’s required to turn the tide on Scotland’s record level of drug deaths.

“The SNP shamefully took their eye off the ball and cut funding for rehab places just at the time those with addiction needed support the most.

“If ministers are truly serious about reducing Scotland’s appalling drug death rate, then they should support the Right to Recovery Bill which will be voted on later this week.

“This Bill was written and is backed by those frontline experts.

“We owe them, and everyone who has suffered from addiction, the opportunity for this Bill to progress rather than denying us the last chance to pass legislation ahead of the election to tackle the national shame of our drug and alcohol deaths.”