Call for "decisive action" after figures show Moray suffered biggest percentage increase in drug deaths
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DOUGLAS Ross has called for "decisive action" to be taken in 2023 to tackle the number of drug deaths in Scotland.
The call from Moray's MP comes after figures released earlier this year revealed that Moray suffered the biggest year-on-year increase in drug deaths.
They showed that ten people in the region lost their lives to drugs in 2020 but by 2021 that rose to 17 - an increase of 70 per cent.
Ross's proposed Right to Recovery Bill has secured cross-party support in the Scottish Parliament and it has been backed 'in principle' by SNP drugs minister Angela Constance.
The bill would guarantee a right to treatment for everyone who needs it.
However, Ross claims action is not being taken "urgently enough" after a report from advocacy group, The Faces and Voices of Recovery (FAVOR), accused politicians of forgetting about the drugs death crisis.
“In this area, we saw the highest year-on-year percentage increase in the number of deaths from drugs of any local authority in Scotland, which was deeply concerning," Ross said.
He added: "However, we continue to see a lack of action. Next year must be the year we see decisive action being taken and that can start with ministers fully backing my Right to Recovery Bill.
"That would guarantee a right to treatment for all those who need it and has been backed by expert groups like FAVOR.
"They are understandably angry that the government are continuing to dither on supporting those who need help the most."
Ross attended the launch of FAVOR's report at the Bluevale Community Centre in Glasgow last month, one year on from when he visited the same venue alongside First Minister Nicola Sturgeon.
Ross added: “There is no time to wait if we are to stop families in Moray and elsewhere losing loved ones to drugs and I urge ministers to start the new year by backing my Right to Recovery Bill."
