Government not making enough use of alcohol treatment centres, claim Lib Dems

Published on Monday 14 September 2009 14:18

THE Scottish Government was today urged to make more use of one of the country's top alcohol treatment centres.

The call came from the Liberal Democrats' justice spokesman Robert Brown ahead of a visit later today to the Castle Craig Hospital in the Borders.

He said it was "ludicrous" that there were empty beds at the centre at a time of heavy demand for services of this type.

Mr Brown added: "An expert report published recently revealed that the majority of people who need care cannot access specialist help.

"Scottish ministers need to explain why when we have the facilities and the need, so many patients are missing out on treatment."

He went on: "We know that only one in 12 people with alcohol dependence accessed treatment in 2006 and 2007. Experts also tell us that for every 1 spent on treatment, 9.50 is saved.

"Failing to provide treatment for people with drug and alcohol problems doesn't save money, it will eventually cost the taxpayer even more."

A Scottish Government spokeswoman said: "Decisions on the most appropriate treatment will be made by clinicians, in consultation with their patient.

"While residential treatment can be very helpful for many people, there is no clear evidence that residential services achieve better outcomes than community-based services.

"It's important that there are a range of services available when people need them and that's why the Scottish Government is investing record funding in this."