Right to Addiction Recovery (Scotland) Bill

# Right to Addiction Recovery (Scotland) Bill Scotland has faced a significant and persistent problem with drug and alcohol addiction, with mortality rates among the highest in Europe. Despite the scale of the crisis, individuals struggling with addiction have historically lacked a guaranteed legal entitlement to treatment and recovery support. This Member's Bill was introduced to address that gap by establishing addiction recovery as a statutory right, ensuring that all people in Scotland with substance use disorders could access evidence-based treatment and support services regardless of their circumstances or location. The Bill creates a legal framework requiring local authorities and health boards to provide accessible, high-quality addiction treatment and recovery services. It establishes specific duties around assessment, treatment planning, and continuity of care, while also setting out individuals' rights to access these services without unreasonable delay. The legislation emphasizes recovery-oriented approaches, peer support, and holistic services that address underlying causes of addiction. As a Member's Bill, its passage would depend on securing sufficient parliamentary support. The Bill represents an attempt to move addiction treatment from a discretionary service to a guaranteed entitlement under Scots law, similar to how other health conditions are treated within the NHS framework.

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