More than £1.5m funding to support community drugs projects

More than £1.5m has been allocated to community-based services supporting people suffering from drug addiction.

Grants have been awarded to organisations and support services as part of the Scottish Government’s Local Support Fund and the Improvement Fund.

The funding is part of an £18m package announced in March as part of efforts to reduce drug related deaths.

Latest figures showed a record-high number of drugs deaths in Scotland in 2019, with 1264 deaths.

Drugs policy minister Angela Constance said that £250m will be spent over the next five years in addressing the drugs deaths crisis.

“I am pleased we have been able to support these organisations to improve and extend their services,” she said.

“The Local Support Fund will help community based projects increase their capacity so they can reach more people who experience problem drug use and offer increased support to them and their families.

“The Improvement Fund supports initiatives which lead to quick access to treatment and help for families. It can also be used for residential rehabilitation and to provide access to additional support, such as mental health services, to enable people to address any underlying challenges they face.

“Over the next five years we will spend £250m on addressing the drug deaths crisis, £100m of which will go on improving the provision of residential rehabilitation and I will update Parliament on progress in this area after the summer recess.

“As I have said before, I am determined that every penny of this additional funding will make a difference to all those affected by drug use in Scotland.”

Director of Medics Against Violence, Christine Goodall, said the expansion will play an “important role” in keeping more people safe.

“Medics Against Violence are absolutely delighted to have been given the opportunity to expand the capacity of the Navigator Project.,” she said.

“This project provides relational and responsive support for people who are at risk or in crisis, so this expansion will play an important role in keeping even more people safe and connected.

“We hope that by continuing to working together with partners we can support people towards safer and healthier lives.”