Scottish Conservative and Unionist MSP Murdo Fraser has urged First Minister John Swinney to give his backing to the Right to Addiction Recovery Bill.
His call comes after the bill was officially introduced in the Scottish Parliament by Scottish Conservative Party Leader, Douglas Ross, alongside frontline experts, including Annemarie Ward of Faces and Voices Recovery UK who was involved in drafting the bill.
The bill will enshrine in law the right to access the most appropriate treatment for all those in Perthshire who are suffering with drug or alcohol addiction issues. Mr Fraser says too many people in Perthshire have lost their lives as a result of drugs or alcohol in recent years and that his thoughts are with anyone grieving the loss of loved ones.
He has now written to local SNP MSP and First Minister John Swinney asking him to throw his support behind the bill to ensure it can be passed into law as quickly as possible.
Commenting, Mr Fraser said: “I am delighted to see the Right to Recovery Bill finally be formally introduced to the Scottish Parliament. This bill has been written alongside frontline experts and secured overwhelming support during its consultation stage. At its heart is a legal right enshrined in law for everyone who needs it to access treatment which is the most appropriate for them.
“Drug deaths in Scotland are the highest in Europe, while alcohol deaths are at their highest level since 2008. Too many people in Perthshire have lost their lives to drugs or alcohol in recent years and we must stop so many people grieving the loss of loved ones.
“That is why I have now written to local SNP MSP John Swinney urging him to confirm his backing for the Right to Recovery Bill. We have heard plenty of warm words from SNP politicians about the bill, but now they must actively back it to ensure it becomes law as soon as possible.”
Mr Fraser continued: “This proposed legislation is long overdue and we should not delay for a moment longer if we are to truly tackle the drug and alcohol deaths crisis in Perthshire.”
