Drug service providers are to told to stop fobbing off people seeking treatment after a meeting between Scotland’s drug policy minister and long term methadone patient Francis McGowan.
Francis, 52, told Angela Constance here is a huge gulf between what his local Alcohol and Drug Partnership claims to offer addicts and what is actually available.
The experience of Francis, who claims to have only ever have been offered methadone in the past 20 years, is a dent in Constance’s pledge to offer more services, faster.
She now means to demand answers on why Francis’s treatment hit a log-jam, with a view to applying any lessons to all local authorities.
Francis’s story as featured in the Record last month, when he told of his descent into drug use as a coping mechanism when he was just 11 - two years after being sexually abused by Dunblane killer Thomas Hamilton.
After the face to face briefing at St Andrew’s House, Francis said: “I wasn’t sure if we were meeting to discuss my own case but it became clear that she wanted to know what exactly my experience was and what kind of services I was offered.
“She asked about a list of stuff that I’m entitled to and about my supposed monthly calls but what she’s been told is so far off what is actually happening it’s a joke.
“Basically, I’ve had a call every few months and an occasional 10 minute meeting, which has been lip service about methadone and what dose I should be on. I have been offered nothing other than methadone in 20 years.
“Whenever I’ve told my case worker that I’ve brought myself down to 30ml of methadone, all I’ve had back is chat about putting it up again and warnings about the dangers of not getting enough methadone.
“But I really want to try to get off drugs and I believe a term in detox and rehab will really help me.”
Francis, from Shotts, Lanarkshire, earlier told the Record how his life had been a continual spiral through addiction, crime and prison after he was abused by Thomas Hamilton - like so many other Scots to suffer serious childhood trauma.
He acknowledges that his criminal life caused harm for others but, at 52, he believes he can have a different kind of life free of drugs and crime.
Francis said he hopes his meeting will lead to services in all Scottish authorities sharpening up their service provision and their accountability practices.
He said: “Since I first appeared on the Record I’ve been made aware that people I know have been contacted about their care, which was out of the blue.
“Everybody seems to be talking about ‘monthly phone calls’ too, which simply never happened.”
Francis also told the minister how he had previously considered committing crime, as he felt access to treatment can be easier once courts are involved.
He said: “That’s not on my mind right now but you sometimes feel that methadone, methadone and more methadone is all that you’ll ever be offered and you might have a better chance of detox if you get a sheriff involved. That means you have to commit a crime.”
Since his story was published North Lanarkshire’s ADP has reviewed his case. His access to rehab is likely to be approved if he receives an appropriate psychiatric report, which he is currently trying to organise.
Francis was struck of his last psychiatric’s list for missing an appointment but he claims he was never told that and only found out last week.
Drugs Policy Minister Angela Constance said: “I was very pleased to have the opportunity to meet Mr McGowan and to listen to his past and recent experiences of services.
“Listening to the personal testimony of individuals who are looking for help and support is at the heart of improving and increasing access to treatment and contributes to our efforts to get it right for everyone.
“I have now written to North Lanarkshire seeking further information and clarification on the assessment process for people seeking residential rehabilitation.
“I am determined that our investment of £250 million over the next five years will mean every person will have access to the treatment that works for them regardless of where they live.”
MSP Neil Gray said Francis’s experience can help streamline the deliver of services in North Lanarkshire.
He is to seek an early psychiatric report for Francis that could open the door to residential rehab.
He said: “I will follow up with the ADP to ask if we can move this case along but I will also ask about what lessons can be learned in delivering services and matching people with what patient centred services will work for them.
“I can say that the minister listened intently to Mr McGowan’s account of his recent treatment and she was very keen to hear the detail of why his situation was not worked out. She passionately wants to turn our drug deaths around.”
He added: “I will be asking the ADP if Mr McGowan’s experience is properly investigated, so we can feel confident that the systems in place are working for all people who are seeking help.”
