Cole-Hamilton attacks SNP ministers as opioids continue to blight Scotland

Scottish Liberal Democrat leader Alex Cole-Hamilton has today accused the SNP of allowing high levels of opioid dependence to blight communities across Scotland.

A report from Public Health Scotland published today reveals that:

• As of 2019/20, 47,100 Scots had an opioid addiction.

• Scotland has a higher rate of opioid dependence than England.

• The rate of opioid dependence has been stable between 2014/15 and 2019/20.

Mr Cole-Hamilton said:

“We already knew that progress on tackling Scotland’s drugs deaths rate, the highest in Europe, has been truly woeful. Today’s figures show that efforts to drive down dependence are failing too.

“Ministers are continuing to allow opioids to blight communities. This is especially troubling because we are now seeing the rise of synthetic opioids 50 times strong than heroin which are responsible for a growing number of deaths.

“When I challenged the First Minister over these substances and his government’s real terms cuts to drug services in January, I was not impressed with the answer he gave.

“I want ministers to protect and strengthen the drug and alcohol budget so that everyone can access care when they need it.”