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Record £28.6 million drugs funding
07/12/2009
A record of £28.6 million funding for drug treatment services was announced today by Minister for Community Safety Fergus Ewing.
The funding will go directly to NHS Health Boards for drug treatment services across Scotland. This money will help to fund recovery services which will be tailored to local needs.
It means the Scottish Government's commitment to increase investment in frontline drug services by 20 per cent has been met.
Speaking at Holyrood's Scotland 2009 Drug's Conference in Edinburgh, Delivering the Road to Recovery, Mr Ewing said:
"By delivering on our promise to increase frontline drugs services by 20 per cent, we have shown our commitment to delivering a drugs policy that is fit for the 21st century for all the people of Scotland.
"Our drugs strategy, The Road to Recovery, is based on the needs of each person, not their misuse. Increasing investment in drugs services will help us deliver this strategy. For every £1 spent on treatment to tackle drug addiction, £9.50 is saved to the public purse.
"Drugs affect people in all our communities across Scotland and the benefit from investing in people recovering from addiction is incalculable.
"Dealing with Scotland's drugs problem is not straightforward. It involves a combination of education, prevention, treatment and enforcement - and a shared determination. But we are committed to turning round lives and helping deliver a safer, stronger Scotland."
Subject to Parliamentary approval, the funding allocated to NHS Health Boards for drug treatment services in 2010-2011 will be £28.6 million; up from £23.8 million in 2006-2007. This represents an increase of 20 per cent since 2006-07.