THOUSANDS TO BE INVESTED IN DRUG AND ALCOHOL SERVICES IN MIDLOTHIAN AND EAST LOTHIAN

SNP MSP Colin Beattie has welcomed millions of pounds of funding from the Scottish Government for drug and alcohol rehabilitation services, including those in Midlothian and East Lothian.
 
Announced by Scotland’s Finance Secretary Kate Forbes, £145.3 million will be committed to alcohol and drugs services, including £50 million to reduce drugs deaths in Scotland.
 
Last week, the SNP Government provided £3 million for NHS boards to increase provision of residential drug rehabilitation placements and improve access to treatment and harm reduction services - including £53,495 for Midlothian Health and Social Care Partnership and £53,495 for East Lothian Health and Social Care Partnership.
 
The Scottish Budget 2021-22 commits £16 billion in total to improving the nation’s health and supporting the NHS in its recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic.
 
Commenting SNP MSP, Colin Beattie said:
 
“The millions of pounds committed in the Scottish Budget to tackling drugs deaths demonstrates how seriously the SNP Scottish Government is taking the issue.
 
“Over the past year, the pandemic has presented an incredible challenge for our health and support services and that has been recognised by the Scottish Government with a commitment of £145 million into drug and alcohol services.
 
“We have some fantastic services in Midlothian and East Lothian, some of which are run by volunteers who give up their time to help the recovery of others. I am sure this funding will be a boost to them.
 
“We know that action is needed now to tackle the drugs death emergency Scotland faces. Along with the appointment of the new Drugs Minister, the SNP Government is making significant steps to tackle Scotland’s drugs crisis. 
 
"The SNP will continue to provide investment for direct interventions to address health inequalities, exacerbated by COVID-19, to create a Scotland where we can all live longer, healthier lives.”