Drop in drug therapy wait

THE length of time people with drug problems have to wait for counselling in Edinburgh has dropped sharply, figures have shown.

The NHS Lothian region used to be one of the worst in Scotland for addicts being delayed in accessing help.

Latest statistics released by ISD Scotland show no waits longer than eight weeks in March, a drastic improvement on this time last year.

Welcoming the figures, local drugs charities said a lengthy wait for therapy was often one of the biggest obstacles to recovery.