‘Don’t let the perfect stand in way of the good’ on drugs Bill, MSPs told

Former Scottish Tory leader Douglas Ross has urged MSPs not to “let the perfect stand in the way of the good” on his Bill designed to limit drugs deaths.

Douglas Ross introduced the Right to Addiction Recovery (Scotland) Bill last year, which would enshrine in law the legal right to drug and alcohol treatment for people struggling with addiction, if it is recommended by a doctor.

The legislation is aimed at stemming Scotland’s drug deaths rate – the highest in Europe – and Mr Ross’s comments come as the number of suspected drug deaths fell by 11% last year, with figures released on Tuesday showing 1,065 people are believed to have died from drugs in 2024.

But the financial implications of the Bill – which would require an expansion of residential rehab and other services – are uncertain, with Mr Ross saying costs range from £28.5 million to £38.2 million extra in spending annually by the Scottish Government, but admitting the estimates could be off.

“The figures included in the financial memorandum represent the best estimate of costs with the available data that we have to come to these conclusions,” Mr Ross said as he appeared before the Finance and Public Administration Committee on Tuesday on the potential costs of the Bill.

But he added: “I know there will be some who are just as passionate about wanting to tackle our shameful drug and alcohol death rate, but disagree with the approach in this Bill.

“To those individuals, and indeed this committee, I say: Work with me to get this right.

Do not let the perfect stand in the way of the good

“We are at the beginning of this process and there will be time for amendments, which I will look at in good faith.

“But do not let the perfect stand in the way of the good.

“We cannot miss this opportunity to put the need to take action against this national scandal on to legal footing.”

Mr Ross said through his work designing the legislation, he believes there will be substantial financial savings to the public purse of his legislation, citing a 2021 independent review in England which argued that for every £1 spent on drug recovery, £4 was saved from reduced demand on health services and the legal system.

Asked by independent MSP John Mason where he would cut the required cash from in the Scottish Government’s budget, Mr Ross committed to go away and consider potential areas, but added: “This is a group who have not felt the support of this Parliament or multiple governments for far too long.

“How often have we stood up annually when we get the figures and say ‘this is Scotland’s national shame and something must be done about it’ and nothing ever changes?

“The only thing that changes is the figures get worse and worse and worse.

“We sometimes get a slight dip, then the numbers go back up again.

“We cannot expect to do the same thing time and time again and expect different results, which is why I think putting this into law, giving people that reassurance that the treatment that is deemed right for them will be provided to them will be helpful, not just to the individuals, but to Scotland.

“I think, as a country, we are shamed by our annual figures showing how many of our fellow Scots are dying needlessly from drugs and alcohol every year.”

Asked how confident he was in the finances of the Bill currently, Mr Ross said he “could not give that commitment” that £38 million would be the highest possible cost, but he added: “It potentially could be put as a failure for me if this ends up costing more money, but if that is because more people have the confidence to come forward and seek the treatment that they want and need, then I will accept that criticism, because more people will be helped as a result of this.”

At the end of the hearing, Mr Ross said he was “very happy” to look again at the financial memorandum to the Bill and come back to the committee.