The health secretary, one of three candidates vying to replace Nicola Sturgeon as SNP leader, admitted it was 'shameful' how many Scots lose their lives each year to addiction
Humza Yousaf has pledged to look at whether more money can be spent on drug treatment services if he becomes the next First Minister.
Asked if he accepted the Scottish Government had failed to lower the number of drugs deaths, Yousaf said: "I think we've got to be honest and say that we've not done as much as I think society would expect us to do.The Record has led the way in calling for the decriminalisation of drugs and a concerted effort in increasing access to rehabilitation and support services.
"The second thing I would do is we continue to engage with the UK Government, and if there is a change in government, on the issue of safe consumption rooms, I think they can play a significant role in helping us to reduce drugs deaths. Asked if a government led by him would improve funding, he said: "We know that commitment is there over the lifetime of the parliament, £50 million pounds a year. I would keep that under very regular review,
Paul Sweeney, a Labour MSP representing Glasgow, said: "The evidence of the past few weeks proves that the so called ‘National Mission’ to reduce drug deaths in Scotland is nothing more than empty rhetoric.
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