Call to give drug users same quality of care as everyone else

Published on Monday 24 March 2008 09:25

DRUG users have the right to the same quality of care as everyone else, a new report will say this week.

The report by the Scottish Advisory Committee on Drug Misuse will argue for a major change in the philosophy of care for people with drug problems. And it will call for a new emphasis on recovery.

Former Health Minister Susan Deacon is due to chair a conference on the same theme on Wednesday, the same day the report is published.

Dr Brian Kidd, chairman of the SACDM sub-group which produced the report, said: "We believe that there needs to be a major change in the philosophy of care for problem substance use in Scotland – focused on the recovery of each individual and putting service users' aspirations at the centre of care.

"This will not be achieved overnight but with the development of a new national drugs strategy there has never been a more fitting time to raise aspirations."

Welcoming the report, Community Safety Minister Fergus Ewing said: "Substance users have the right to the same care and treatment as the rest of us and shouldn't be treated as second class citizens.

"But these rights must come with responsibilities. Many will already have responsibilities like bringing up and caring for children, but they should also be able to earn a wage, contribute to society and adhere to the law of the land.

"It is essential that people experiencing drug problems have access to a range of wider services including employment, housing, health that help them to rebuild their lives."