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Meeting of the Parliament 21 June 2012

21 Jun 2012 · S4 · Meeting of the Parliament

Item of business

Families

Gibson, Kenneth SNP Cunninghame North Watch on SPTV

I thank Nanette Milne for raising an important issue that, such is the scale of substance misuse in our nation, is—I am sorry to say—relevant to every member in the chamber.

Given that substance abuse can impact severely on individuals and families and that the family can play a huge role in helping those who are struggling with an addiction, it is important that we support the small family-led groups that help not only those suffering from substance misuse but people living with someone who abuses drugs or alcohol. It is startling to note research from 2000 that estimated that between 40,000 and 60,000—or 1 in 20—Scottish children were affected by the drug problem of one or more parent. Sadly, such situations have a negative impact on the subsequent health, employability and educational attainment of those children and put them at greater risk of emotional or physical abuse.

In an ideal world, we would not have to confront such issues, and we must always do everything within our power to prevent people from falling into the grasp of addiction. Of course, such preventative work has many facets, including seizing drugs before they enter the country; effective policing to prevent distribution; and providing effective education to alert young people in particular to the dangers of drug and alcohol abuse.

I am pleased that, since 2006, illegal drug use in the general adult population has declined by more than a fifth. However, as the minister has made clear, we still have a long, long way to go. I am also confident that minimum pricing will have a positive impact on Scotland’s dangerous relationship with alcohol and the harm that it causes.

However, it is an unfortunate reality that people will continue to fall victim to substance misuse and that many will form addictions, harming themselves and others around them. It is therefore the Government’s moral responsibility to offer support to help people break the cycle of addiction, to allow sufferers to regain control of their lives, lessen the impact on wider society—I refer to costs relating to the national health service and law and order—and reduce the emotional torment of people who live with them.

Therefore, I am proud that this Government has invested 20 per cent more in front-line care, treatment and recovery since 2007 and that it has launched the road to recovery strategy, which firmly recognises the importance of the family unit in addressing these matters. It is due to the strategy and the continued investment in tackling addiction that family support organisations, such as the Grampian Family Support Forum, which Nanette Milne cited, are growing in number and importance.

Tackling Scotland’s drink and drug problem requires a multi-agency approach that employs a variety of tactics, treatments and support mechanisms. As members will know, drug treatment, including opiate substitutes such as methadone, often removes only the criminal element of addiction. Although such treatments have a role to play, it is far more difficult for someone to kick the habit without the support and encouragement of friends and family.

It is important that family members have the correct advice and information at their disposal, in order to recognise the signs of substance misuse and to help people through difficult times. That is why the Scottish Government increased core funding this year for Scottish Families Affected by Drugs, which supports a network of local family support groups and individual families through training, information provision and a dedicated helpline. Through that work, the SFAD gives family members not only the confidence to intervene when their relative’s drug or alcohol use becomes problematic, but the knowledge and ability to offer them support and help.

The scourge of alcohol and drug misuse in Scotland remains a persistent threat to the establishment of a safe, healthy and prosperous society. Many of my constituents—particularly in Saltcoats, where we discussed this very issue on Tuesday night—have great concern that not enough is being done and that more should be done to reduce long-term methadone dependency, in particular. Although the figures that I cited show that we are moving in the right direction, communities on the ground do not see progress happening as fast as they would like it to happen.

I believe that the Parliament and the Government will continue to rise to the challenge, through ground-breaking legislation such as the smoking ban and minimum pricing for alcohol but also through our continued commitment—despite tough financial times—to support individuals and families who have fallen victim to drug or alcohol abuse.

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