Stalled treatment of drug addicts fuels fears of crime wave

Published on Tuesday 30 March 2010 23:09

MANY drug addicts are still facing a long wait for help to beat their addiction, fuelling fears of a knock-on rise in crime as they seek to fund their habits.

New figures show almost one in ten of those waiting for an assessment for drug treatment had to wait more than a year.

One in 20 of those waiting for community treatment had to wait more than 12 months.

The Scottish Government wants 90 per cent of patients treated within three weeks by 2013, but between October and December last year, only 85 per cent were offered an appointment for assessment within four weeks of referral.

It follows the number of Drug Treatment and Testing Orders falling by 11 per cent from 550 in 2006-7 to 491 in 2007-8.

James Kelly, Scottish Labour's community safety spokesman, said: ''The decrease in the number of drug treatment and testing orders is a worry. This could well lead to more people committing crime, putting more pressure on the justice system.''

Robert Brown, justice spokesman for the Scottish Liberal Democrats, added: "Drug addiction and the damage it does to individuals and communities is supposed to be a high priority for the SNP government.

"It is appalling that there are so many drug addicts waiting so long for treatment that they really need.

"We will not be able to eradicate the scourge of drug addiction if those needing the help the most cannot get the treatment they need."

A spokesperson for the Scottish Government said: "In October- December 2009, 86 per cent of those offered an appointment for assessment were offered a date within four weeks of referral.

''Of those who were offered a treatment intervention date in October to December 2009, 95 per cent were offered a first treatment within four weeks.''