DRUG TREATMENT TARGETS MISSED

Both stigma and discrimination causing shortfall

- CHRIS McCALL

TARGETS to increase access to life-saving treatments for Scots with drug dependencies are being missed, a report warns.

Research by the Scottish Drugs Forum (SDF) found some people battling addiction were not engaging with the services available to them because they are difficult to reach or because of the stigma.

The charity spoke to drug users across eight health board areas and is pushing for the Scottish Government to implement standards agreed in 2022 regarding use of medication-assisted treatments.

The report was unveiled before the publication tomorrow of the latest statistics on the number of drugrelated deaths in Scotland.