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Right to recovery bill rejected by Scottish Parliament MSPs vote against legal right to addiction treatment
(32 minutes later)
Scotland has been the drugs deaths capital of Europe for the past seven yearsScotland has been the drugs deaths capital of Europe for the past seven years
A bill that would have given people with drug and alcohol addictions the legal right to treatment has been rejected by the Scottish Parliament.A bill that would have given people with drug and alcohol addictions the legal right to treatment has been rejected by the Scottish Parliament.
Former Scottish Conservative leader Douglas Ross, who tabled the Right to Addiction Recovery (Scotland) Bill, said the legislation would have saved lives.Former Scottish Conservative leader Douglas Ross, who tabled the Right to Addiction Recovery (Scotland) Bill, said the legislation would have saved lives.
However, opponents said the proposals risked overburdening already stretched services.However, opponents said the proposals risked overburdening already stretched services.
Parliament voted by 63 votes to 52 to reject the bill.Parliament voted by 63 votes to 52 to reject the bill.
The proposed legislation fell at stage one, in which MSPs are asked to agree to its general principles, after the government and the Greens argued against it.The proposed legislation fell at stage one, in which MSPs are asked to agree to its general principles, after the government and the Greens argued against it.
Conservative, Labour and Liberal Democrat MSPs backed the bill.Conservative, Labour and Liberal Democrat MSPs backed the bill.
Ross called it a "dark day" for Holyrood.Ross called it a "dark day" for Holyrood.
The legislation would have given anyone diagnosed as having a drug or alcohol addiction the right to treatment within three weeks of their diagnosis.The legislation would have given anyone diagnosed as having a drug or alcohol addiction the right to treatment within three weeks of their diagnosis.
That could have included residential rehabilitation, community-based treatment, detoxification, substitute prescriptions or any other treatment recommended by a health professional.That could have included residential rehabilitation, community-based treatment, detoxification, substitute prescriptions or any other treatment recommended by a health professional.
The legislation would also have allowed a person who had been diagnosed with a drug or alcohol addiction to participate in decisions about their treatment.The legislation would also have allowed a person who had been diagnosed with a drug or alcohol addiction to participate in decisions about their treatment.
Scotland has recorded the highest number of drug deaths in Europe for the past seven years. There were 1,017 drug misuse deaths in 2024, down by 155 on the previous year.Scotland has recorded the highest number of drug deaths in Europe for the past seven years. There were 1,017 drug misuse deaths in 2024, down by 155 on the previous year.
There were 607 suspected drug deaths in the first six months of this year, 18 more than during the same period of 2024.There were 607 suspected drug deaths in the first six months of this year, 18 more than during the same period of 2024.
Alcohol deaths fell last year to the lowest number since 2019. Official figures showed 1,185 people died from alcohol-specific causes in 2024, a 7% decrease from a 15-year record high in 2023.Alcohol deaths fell last year to the lowest number since 2019. Official figures showed 1,185 people died from alcohol-specific causes in 2024, a 7% decrease from a 15-year record high in 2023.
The UK's first drugs consumption room opened in Glasgow earlier this yearThe UK's first drugs consumption room opened in Glasgow earlier this year
Holyrood's health committee did not recommend that parliament support the bill, concluding it was not the "correct vehicle" to help those struggling with addiction.Holyrood's health committee did not recommend that parliament support the bill, concluding it was not the "correct vehicle" to help those struggling with addiction.
Convener Clare Haughey said the committee had identified high levels of dissatisfaction with access to addiction services.Convener Clare Haughey said the committee had identified high levels of dissatisfaction with access to addiction services.
However, she told MSPs that the bill would require significant amendments to be "workable".However, she told MSPs that the bill would require significant amendments to be "workable".
She warned that the proposals, by only applying to those with a formal diagnosis, could exacerbate stigma, create barriers to recovery and risk legal challenges over the right to treatment.She warned that the proposals, by only applying to those with a formal diagnosis, could exacerbate stigma, create barriers to recovery and risk legal challenges over the right to treatment.
Drug and Alcohol Policy Minister Maree Todd spoke of her own parents' struggle with alcoholism.Drug and Alcohol Policy Minister Maree Todd spoke of her own parents' struggle with alcoholism.
While she said ministers supported the bill's "ambition", she said they could not support it citing "profound legal, practical and resource concerns that risk undermining service delivery rather than enhancing it".While she said ministers supported the bill's "ambition", she said they could not support it citing "profound legal, practical and resource concerns that risk undermining service delivery rather than enhancing it".
She said the bill had "fundamental flaws" that could outweigh any potential benefits.She said the bill had "fundamental flaws" that could outweigh any potential benefits.
Green MSP Maggie Chapman said her party supported the motivation of the bill, but raised concerns that it could not deliver on its aims and risked "doing real harm".Green MSP Maggie Chapman said her party supported the motivation of the bill, but raised concerns that it could not deliver on its aims and risked "doing real harm".
Conservative MSP Douglas Ross urged MSPs to back the general principles of his billConservative MSP Douglas Ross urged MSPs to back the general principles of his bill
Ross had urged those with reservations to allow the bill to pass at stage one, arguing that concerns could be addressed at a later stage of the legislative process.Ross had urged those with reservations to allow the bill to pass at stage one, arguing that concerns could be addressed at a later stage of the legislative process.
"Surely the fundamental thing is to save lives," he told MSPs. "And we have that opportunity to do that today.""Surely the fundamental thing is to save lives," he told MSPs. "And we have that opportunity to do that today."
Ross called Scotland's place as the drugs death capital of Europe "embarrassing" and said it was time "something was done about it".Ross called Scotland's place as the drugs death capital of Europe "embarrassing" and said it was time "something was done about it".
"This is a crisis made in Scotland and one that can be fixed here in Scotland, but not if we don't have willing participants in the government," he said."This is a crisis made in Scotland and one that can be fixed here in Scotland, but not if we don't have willing participants in the government," he said.
Ross accused Green and SNP MSPs of "toeing the party line" instead of backing a bill that could save lives.Ross accused Green and SNP MSPs of "toeing the party line" instead of backing a bill that could save lives.
Referencing objections from Green and SNP MSPs, Scottish Conservative leader Russell Findlay said suffering from "apparent stigma" was preferable to "being killed by drugs".Referencing objections from Green and SNP MSPs, Scottish Conservative leader Russell Findlay said suffering from "apparent stigma" was preferable to "being killed by drugs".
Scottish Labour deputy leader Jackie Baillie said the SNP and Greens should be "ashamed" for voting against the bill, though she told MSPs it would have required substantial amendments at stage two.Scottish Labour deputy leader Jackie Baillie said the SNP and Greens should be "ashamed" for voting against the bill, though she told MSPs it would have required substantial amendments at stage two.
Scottish Liberal Democrat leader Alex Cole-Hamilton offered his party's "cautious" support for the general principles of the bill.Scottish Liberal Democrat leader Alex Cole-Hamilton offered his party's "cautious" support for the general principles of the bill.
"We cannot afford to let this conversation pass us by and close the book on legislative change for the rest of this parliament," Cole-Hamilton told MSPs."We cannot afford to let this conversation pass us by and close the book on legislative change for the rest of this parliament," Cole-Hamilton told MSPs.
In an effort to drive down drugs deaths, the UK's first legal drug consumption room has been opened in Glasgow. NHS Scotland has also increased the use of Naloxone, a drug that can temporarily reverse the effects of an opioid overdose.In an effort to drive down drugs deaths, the UK's first legal drug consumption room has been opened in Glasgow. NHS Scotland has also increased the use of Naloxone, a drug that can temporarily reverse the effects of an opioid overdose.
The Scottish government has set a standard that 90% of people referred for help with problematic drug or alcohol use should receive specialist treatment within three weeks.The Scottish government has set a standard that 90% of people referred for help with problematic drug or alcohol use should receive specialist treatment within three weeks.
In the three months to June, 94% of community-based referrals were seen within the target timeframe.In the three months to June, 94% of community-based referrals were seen within the target timeframe.
'Failed system''Failed system'
Some organisations, such as Scottish Health Action on Alcohol Problems, said that the bill should have been extended to all those who could benefit from treatment, not just those who have been formally diagnosed with addiction or dependency, which it said makes up a "relatively small proportion" of people with alcohol problems.Some organisations, such as Scottish Health Action on Alcohol Problems, said that the bill should have been extended to all those who could benefit from treatment, not just those who have been formally diagnosed with addiction or dependency, which it said makes up a "relatively small proportion" of people with alcohol problems.
Others, such as Social Work Scotland, said that the need for a diagnosis could stigmatise people with addiction issues and could create a barrier to support.Others, such as Social Work Scotland, said that the need for a diagnosis could stigmatise people with addiction issues and could create a barrier to support.
However, several organisations supported the proposed legislation.However, several organisations supported the proposed legislation.
Annemarie Ward, chief executive of Faces and Voices of Recovery UK, had urged MSPs to support the bill.Annemarie Ward, chief executive of Faces and Voices of Recovery UK, had urged MSPs to support the bill.
Speaking to the BBC's Good Morning Scotland programme ahead of the Holyrood vote, she said: "If they vote against it, it protects a failed system, one that keeps people on medication for decades but can't find a bed for those people who are ready to get well."Speaking to the BBC's Good Morning Scotland programme ahead of the Holyrood vote, she said: "If they vote against it, it protects a failed system, one that keeps people on medication for decades but can't find a bed for those people who are ready to get well."