Bill Kidd, SNP MSP for Glasgow, has welcomed a funding boost for NHS Greater Glasgow & Clyde that will help provide better and faster access to drug treatment services for people with drug problems.

The Minister for Community Safety Fergus Ewing announced that the funding plans will support the national drugs strategy, 'Road to Recovery: A New Approach To Tackling Scotland's Drug Problem', which was unanimously supported by Parliament last year. The announcement means that the Greater Glasgow & Clyde Health Board will receive an increase of 13.5% in funding, from £8,422,000 - £9,558,970.

Commenting, Mr Ewing said: "Drug misuse harms individuals and damages communities. As the drugs strategy makes clear, promoting recovery from drug addiction is crucial to helping people turn around their lives, from misery to hope. It also makes families and communities safer.

"We want recovery to be the aim of all drug treatment and rehabilitation services – and we all want to see a wider range of services in place than there has been in the past.

Commenting, Bill Kidd said: "I'm delighted that the Greater Glasgow & Clyde Health Board will receive this significant funding increase for 2009-10 to help tackle the problem of drug abuse.

"Glasgow's particular problems with illicit drug use are well-documented. This extra funding will help get those seeking help the treatment they need - and quickly. It will help Greater Glasgow & Clyde Health Board and their key partners to increase their funding to voluntary organisations that work with drug abusers.

"This announcement is about offering hope for troubled lives and directions towards a road to recovery."

Notes:

1. Subject to Parliamentary approval of the overall Scottish Government budget, in 2009-10, NHS Health Boards will receive increases of 13.5 per cent in their ring-fenced budget for drug services, compared to figures for 2008-09. Across Scotland, the ring-fenced budget for Health Board drugs services will amount to £27.988 million, up from £24.668 million from in 2008-09.

2. The Scottish Government published its National Drugs Strategy on 29 May last year. The Road to Recovery – A New Approach to Tackling Scotland's Drug Problem is available here.