Contrary to the Government’s policy of allowing local agencies and authorities to decide how funding is spent, the money will be ring-fenced, partly to ensure those needing help will receive drugs treatment within three weeks, rather than waiting months.
When setting out their three-year budget plan in 2007, ministers were strongly criticised for failing to meet a manifesto commitment to increase funding for drugs rehabilitation services by 20%. Since then they have faced pressure from both the Tories and Labour to meet the pledge.
Scotland, according to figures from 2005, has around 52,000 problem drug users and around 22,000 people who rely on methadone to manage their addiction.
Almost one in 50 adult Scots is problem drug user.
In total there were 574 drug-related deaths last year. The number of under-25s in Scotland dying from drug use fell marginally last year, but the overall toll rose by 26% -- more than double in a decade.
It is hoped that the additional funding, up from £23.8m in 2006, will significantly reduce the damage and fatalities caused by chaotic drug misuse.
Fergus Ewing, Minister for Community Safety, said: “By delivering on our promise to increase frontline drugs services by 20%, 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.”
The drugs strategy set out by Mr Ewing last year, with an emphasis on recovery, has all-party backing, and support from Cosla and the majority of drugs groups in Scotland. Campaigners said it ended the “stale” arguments over whether services should focus on programmes of abstinence or methadone, the heroin substitute.
Mr Ewing told Parliament his “guiding principle” would be that addicts can get better, and that the government should help them.
The funding will be announced today at the Scotland 2009 Drugs Conference in Edinburgh, Delivering the Road to Recovery.
It will go directly to NHS health boards for drug treatment services across Scotland. The money will help fund recovery-focused services that will be tailored to local needs.
It follows the first meeting of the Drugs Strategy Commission last week.
Around one in 20 Scottish children are brought up with at least one parent addicted to drugs. Research published in 2000 put the total number of children with one addict parent at between 40,000 and 60,000.
One in three adult Scots has taken cannabis at some point in their life, with one in 10 trying the substance in the last year.
One in 25 adult Scots told researchers in 2006 that they had used cocaine in the last year.
Illegal drug use costs the Scottish economy £2.6bn a year.
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