Meeting of the Parliament 09 October 2025
I reiterate to him that, if residential rehab is what he is seeking, we have increased the level of residential rehab and have invested £38 million in building more facilities and in increasing the bed capacity nationally. We are on target for 1,000 funded places a year, and we are dramatically improving.
Just this week, I spoke about the additional placement fund, which Rona Mackay mentioned in her speech. It is a flexible pot of funding that supports ADPs, so that when they have exhausted their pot of money, they can access the fund to support the placement of individuals into residential rehab or extend their stay, should that be needed. That is absolutely how we need to progress; we need a flexible, person-centred, rights-based approach.
As we approach the end of the national mission, we continue to work with stakeholders, including those with lived and living experience, in order to develop our future strategy that is built on what works and responds to what is needed. I recognise there is strong support across the chamber for the general principles of the bill and that some members may question the Scottish Government’s position to oppose the legislation. I do not take the decision lightly. I recognise the strength of feeling across the chamber and the shared commitment to improving outcomes for people who are affected by substance use.
However, we have a responsibility to ensure that any legislative change is not only well intentioned but is workable, evidence based and capable of delivering real and lasting impact. That is the path that we are committed to. The Government remains laser focused on addressing the challenge of our unacceptably high drug and alcohol deaths rate. I am committed to working constructively with members across the chamber to ensure that we deliver on our mission.
Paul Sweeney rose—