The Scottish government has announced an additional £3.6m for frontline organisations working to support those living in Scotland affected by drug-related harms, including four new rehab initiatives.

Ministers says this new funding will help ‘save and improve lives’ as part of its National Mission on Drugs.

Ten projects are to receive ‘continuation funding’ of £2.6m and four new residential rehabilitation initiatives will share £1m.

The government says the award should help organisations providing residential rehabilitation to hire staff and to provide more in-depth support for people across Scotland as they transition from rehab back into a home environment.

Visiting CrossReach’s Residential Recovery Service in Glasgow, Drugs and Alcohol Policy Minister Christina McKelvie said:

“This funding and these projects are helping to save and improve lives across Scotland.

“It will support a wide range of initiatives, from rescuing vulnerable people from having their homes and lives taken over by drug-dealing ‘cuckooing’ gangs, to supporting outdoor recovery programmes and expanding recovery cafes.

“It also includes a very significant investment in developing residential rehabilitation services.

“Increasing access, and improving these services is another key part of our National Mission and we’re well on our way to our target of increasing the number of statutory funded placements to 1,000 by 2026.” 

CrossReach is to use its new funds to develop a new women’s recovery house and upgrade existing properties.

This comes after Public Health Scotland (PHS) shared earlier this year that despite some progress, barriers remain in access to residential rehabilitation placements for people struggling with substance use.

Despite a reported £14m funding boost from the government to increase residential rehabilitation places last year, PHS found that only 24% of people referring individuals for rehab said it was ‘easily accessible.’

Other barriers identified include aftercare and post-rehab support for people across Scotland returning to their home communities.

Now, CrossReach – which is to receive an award of £357,816 through this new funding – will employ two new staff members to improve aftercare provision at its Glasgow residential rehabilitation facility.

Director for Adult Care at CrossReach Vic Walker said:

“This funding, across three years, will allow us to maintain support to people as they transition back into the community after completing a residential rehab programme. Practical and emotional support will be offered, as they link with an assertive aftercare worker and access counselling.

“We know that this type of support is crucial, as they enter the next stage of their recovery journey, leaving the supportive environment of the rehabilitation service and establishing themselves back into their local community.

“We will help people to use the knowledge and skills gained in rehab, as they access activities and services.”

Read more: Addiction and recovery employment scheme grows; Safe consumption rooms key for drug harms; Decriminalisation call to support drug deaths mission; Experts: Drugs deaths need emergency response now; The health benefits of being able to work

Sign up to our bulletin for key health & social care updates straight to your inbox and you can follow healthandcare.scot on Google News.