The tragic toll of drug deaths across Dumfries and Galloway remains a terrifying worry with recent figures revealing a 100% increase last year.
Twenty four people died from drug-related causes locally in 2024, compared to 12 the year before.
Each case represents another lost life that devastates loved ones, families, friends and work colleagues – often unaware of the personal crisis being faced by people struggling on the edge.
Yet a move described as a potential game-changer in the fight against drug and alcohol deaths – the Right to Recovery Bill – was defeated last week after SNP and Green MSPs voted against it meaning it fell at Stage One.
The decision showed nationalist MSPs – including all of them representing the South of Scotland – were prepared to put party politics above people’s lives.
Local constituency MSP Finlay Carson described the situation as “shameful” especially in the wake of the drugs death crisis that has blighted Dumfries and Galloway for more years than he cares to remember.
Attacking the decision taken by SNP and Green MSPs, he said: “Quite honestly they should hang their heads in shame. Have they not been listening to families and friends who have tragically lost someone through a drug-related death?
“It beggars belief that they would rather slavishly toe party lines than take action that could potentially reduce the number of future drug deaths?
“This is not about scoring political points but genuinely wanting to help solve this worrying crisis that is getting no better – especially in Dumfries and Galloway. They owed it to all grieving families who have lost loved ones to drugs and alcohol an urgent apology.”
The Galloway and West Dumfries MSP described the decision taken by the nationalists and Greens not to support the bill as a “dark day for the Scottish Parliament.”
He added: “Make no mistake MSPs were presented with a golden opportunity to progress a bill that was a potential game-changer in the fight against drug deaths in Scotland.
“Instead, they decided to prioritise playing politics over saving lives. Drug deaths are Scotland’s shame due to Nicola Sturgeon and the SNP taking their eye off the ball.
“Too many lives have been lost due to addiction in Dumfries and Galloway yet still SNP and Green MSPs won’t accept their approach has failed some of our most vulnerable people.”
Mr Cason believes this is a missed opportunity not to back the Right to Recovery Bill, which was written by frontline experts and enjoyed huge public support.
He continued: “I joined many of the bill supporters outside Holyrood before the vote and they were adamant that this was the best way forward to tackle what remains a worrying problem in many parts of the country.
“Perhaps if they had listened more closely they would have understood the desperation facing many families in getting the right support for their loved ones battling the drugs menace.”
