Seven campaign groups have urged the government and MSPs to back a Bill that would give the right to recovery ahead of the publication of the latest drug death numbers.

The statistics for 2020 are due tomorrow and it is widely expected that there will be another increase in the number of people who have died.

Last years report, for 2019, showed 1264 deaths across Scotland, an increase from the previous year of 1187, also a record high.

READ MORE: ‘Nothing has changed’ families warn on drugs ahead of death figures

A Right to Recovery Bill has been published by the Scottish Conservatives, developed with support group Favor Scotland and housing charity Shelter.

It would enshrine in law that everyone can immediately access the treatment they need.

Favor said that despite the Scottish Government earlier this pledging tens of millions of pounds a year for drug services, including residential rehab, people are still being denied a place and being refused other treatments.

More groups, working on the front line of addiction services have pledged their support for the Bill.

They are The Maxie Richards Foundation,  Jericho House, Phoenix Futures, Sisco, Abbey Care and  Recovery Enterprises.

Annemarie Ward, FAVOR Scotland CEO, said: “Behind Friday’s statistics, which we are sure will be as shocking as previous years, lie thousands of distraught families and communities in pieces.

Glasgow Times:

“The drug crisis will be Scotland’s shame until the government is brave enough to do what is necessary.

READ MORE: Drug death memorial in Glasgow city centre this month

“Just now, the Scottish Government is not acting quickly enough to tackle the drug death crisis on our streets. They are doing just enough to limit the damage, not to solve the crisis.”

Favor said progress is too slow and said those where in charge of developing drug strategies at the time of rapidly rising deaths are still in charge now  

Ms Ward added: “We have developed a Right to Recovery Bill that is about equality and justice for all. It should not be controversial to demand that everyone gets the treatment they need.

“This Bill will have widespread cross-party support when it comes forward. SNP MSPs have privately told us they will back the Bill and several prominent Labour MSPs have publicly voiced support for it.

“The Right to Recovery Bill is necessary because at the moment, the same leadership is presiding over this catastrophic tragedy who were in charge when drug deaths spiralled out of control. There is no desire for radical change, or even for accountability, in Scotland’s broken treatment system. Progress is far too slow.

READ MORE: Drug deaths scandal: ten years of failure to listen

 “The government’s new standards are not powerful enough to bring about the change we need to tackle this crisis. To save more lives, we need enforceable rights enshrined in law, so that nobody can be denied treatment again.”

Annie Wells, Glasgow Conservative MSP and party health spokeswoman, said: “Our Right to Recovery Bill has been developed with frontline experts and we are encouraged that it is gaining such widespread support.

Glasgow Times:

“We now need the SNP Government to stop stalling and support this bill. Every delay costs lives.

“We have waited years for change but the extra funding we demanded and the new standards in force are not cutting it. The only way to guarantee everyone gets the treatment they need is to make it enforceable in law.”