Treatment is the best protection against drug overdose deaths that can be offered to a person experiencing a drug dependency.  It is concerning to note that Scotland has struggled to achieve the target 9% increase in the number of people in treatment.  That target was set by the Scottish Government in March 2022 and was to be achieved by April 2024. 

Likewise, it is discouraging that the Medication Assisted Treatment Standards introduced in May 2021 have not been fully implemented even under their revised schedule by the deadline of March 2024. These standards were designed to make treatment services accessible and acceptable to people experiencing drug problems. 

SDF’s new report explains some of the issues people face in engaging with services which mean that they are difficult to access or are not offering what people want and need. 

Scottish Drugs Forum CEO Kirsten Horsburgh said, “The observational component of this peer research project provides a unique insight into the logistics, experiences and emotions of participants accessing medication assisted treatment. The strength of the peer research approach was evident in the relationship between peers and participants, often resulting in authentic and engaging conversation which has enriched the findings.  

Directly observing some of the positive changes to treatment provision in Scotland through this work has been hugely encouraging but inevitably this work also highlights the shortfalls and some highly unacceptable practice. The examples speak for themselves as to why more people are still disengaged from the treatment system.