There are “shocking gaps” in drug rehab services according to a new report by drug recovery campaigners.

Faces and Voices of Recovery Scotland (Favor) said it has identified deficiencies with funding and problems in service provision.

Its main finding is that only 13 per cent of rehab placements are funded by the Scottish Government through local alcohol and drug partnerships.

The report, Summary of Residential Rehabilitation in Scotland also looked at how much local authorities have been delivered to spend on rehab and where the money ended up.

The report says there are different practices in different areas, stating “the service a person receives in Glasgow will completely differ from the experience of someone from West Dunbartonshire for example. The lack of any “uniformed” policies and guidance on this matter causes alarm.”

On rehab provision it found: “The total number of beds available is estimated to be 418 and at the end of 2020, start of 2021, providers reported that a combined total of 268 beds were occupied and so, at the time of survey, were running at around 69% of capacity.”

On funding it found: “Self-funding contributed over a third (36.8%) of placements. Around a quarter (27.4%) were funded by Social Security payments like HB and charitable funding, while private insurance is used to fund around one in five (22.0%) places. Alcohol and Drug Partnerships funded little more than a tenth (13.2%) of those accessing beds across the surveyed facilities.”

Annemarie Ward FAVOR Scotland, chief Executive, said: “This new report shows the shocking gaps in funding and provision of rehabilitation services across Scotland.

Glasgow Times:

“A shameful postcode lottery exists where some people are able to quickly access the treatment they need while others wait years to be treated fairly, if at all.

“The most shocking and shameful thing is that the postcode lottery is often worse in areas where drug deaths are most prevalent, particularly around Glasgow and Dundee.

“The Scottish Government have recognised the problem in their words but we do still need action to improve the situation on the ground.

“There are many barriers to access. Many people are not informed of rehabilitation as a treatment option and, in some areas, there has been little to no rehabilitation placements in decades, if at all.”

The Scottish Government has announced £250 million of funding over the next five years to tackle the rising number of drug deaths.

Last month it announced a £5 million recovery fund for additional residential rehab capacity will be established, with not-for-profit organisations working in the sector able to apply for a share of the money.

Angela Constance, the minister for drug policy said when the cash was announced: “We have said a national mission is needed to tackle the drug deaths emergency and this additional £250 million over the next five years will improve and increase services for people affected by drug addiction.

Glasgow Times:

“These funds make more resources available to community and third sector organisations and offer support to families affected by drug use.

“As I have said before, we are determined, as part of our national mission, to make sure that people can access whatever treatment is right for them in the right place at the right time.”