Drug addicts left lingering on waiting lists for too long - Finnie (Aberdeen South & North Kincardine Liberal Democrats)

Aberdeen South & North Kincardine Liberal Democrats <info@aberdeensouthlibdems.org.uk>

Drug addicts left lingering on waiting lists for too long - Finnie

March 31, 2009 4:47 PM
Originally published by Scottish Liberal Democrats

Commenting on official figures which show that drug abusers who miss the fourteen day target for referral face a one in four chance of waiting more than a year for treatment, Liberal Democrat Heatlh spokesperson Ross Finnie MSP said:

"The Health Secretary must not hide behind the high level of initial consultation that masks a more serious problem. If you miss the fourteen day deadline you have a one in four chance of waiting more than a year for treatment.

"Early intervention is vital if drug misuse in Scotland is to be tackled effectively. Leaving people lingering on waiting lists for a year only increases the risk of them falling out of care and back into continued drug abuse."