Scottish Conservative MSP Russell Findlay has called on Nicola Sturgeon to back his party’s plans for a ‘Right to Recovery Bill’ to help tackle drug deaths in Renfrewshire.
The West Scotland politician's call comes after new statistics revealed that there were 722 suspected drug deaths in Scotland in the first half of this year.
If that trend continues, it will surpass the 2020 record of 1339 drug-related deaths in Scotland.
In Renfrewshire and Inverclyde 35 people were suspected to have died as a result of drugs in the first six months of this year.
Findlay says his party’s plans for a right to recovery to be enshrined in law would guarantee treatment for those in Renfrewshire who need it.
He said: “The number of people suspected of losing their lives to drugs in Paisley and across Renfrewshire is shocking and heartbreaking.
“My thoughts are with anyone who has lost a loved one as a result of drugs.
“The drug deaths crisis is a national scandal and remains on an upward trajectory. This has happened under Nicola Sturgeon’s SNP. She glibly said she ‘took her eye off the ball’ but is still failing to tackle this crisis.
“It’s time she backed Scottish Conservative plans for a Right to Recovery Bill. That would guarantee everyone who needs treatment in Renfrewshire and Inverclyde would get it.
“A Right to Recovery is backed by frontline experts and organisations and should be backed urgently by the SNP-Green Government and I will continue to push them to do so.”
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