Douglas Ross MSP has introduced this Member’s Bill. It will establish a right in law to treatment for addiction for anyone in Scotland who is addicted to either alcohol, or drugs or both.
This is a Member's bill
The Bill was introduced on 14 May 2024 and is at Stage 1
This Bill is at Stage 1 of the process to decide if it should become an Act.
Douglas Ross MSP has introduced this Member’s Bill.
It will allow people who have been diagnosed by a health professional as being addicted to either alcohol, or drugs, or both to be provided with:
The treatment must be made available to them within three weeks of the treatment determination being made.
If the health professional thinks that no treatment is appropriate, or that the treatment which the person wants is not appropriate, then the health professional must tell the person in writing why they think this.
If the person does not agree with the health professional’s decision, they can get a second opinion from a different health professional.
The Scottish Government must report on its progress towards providing treatment to people addicted to either alcohol, or drugs, or both, every year. The report should be given to Parliament and published by the Government.
The report needs to include certain statistical information for each health board area.
The Scottish Government must prepare a code of practice to help the bodies which help implement the Bill know what they need to do. These are bodies like health boards and local authorities.
Douglas Ross MSP believes that any person who has been diagnosed as being addicted to either alcohol, or drugs, or both, should have the legal right to access treatment to help them to recover from that addiction.
In 2022, 1,051 people died due to drug misuse, and there were 1,276 alcohol-related deaths in the same year. Mr Ross believes that these figures are too high and show that that there is a problem in Scotland with addiction to drugs and alcohol. Mr Ross also believes that this problem is made worse by the length of waiting times for some types of treatment, including residential rehabilitation.
Mr Ross believes that a rights-based system should be created. This would give individuals the right to treatment without delay information and involvement in their treatment. Mr Ross also believes this would lead to progress in tackling addiction to alcohol, or drugs, or both.
Right to Addiction Recovery (Scotland) Bill as introduced (493KB, pdf) posted 14 May 2024
Explanatory Notes (138KB, pdf) posted 14 May 2024
Policy Memorandum (263KB, pdf) posted 14 May 2024
Financial Memorandum (335KB, pdf) posted 14 May 2024
Delegated Powers Memorandum (139KB, pdf) posted 14 May 2024
Statements on legislative competence (109KB, pdf) posted 14 May 2024
Explanatory Notes (224KB, pdf) posted 14 May 2024
Policy Memorandum (332KB, pdf) posted 14 May 2024
Financial Memorandum (391KB, pdf) posted 14 May 2024
Delegated Powers Memorandum (219KB, pdf) posted 14 May 2024
Statements on legislative competence (160KB, pdf) posted 14 May 2024
All Bills introduced in the Parliament must be accompanied by specific documents. For most Bills, this includes:
Explanatory Notes: this document provides an overview of what the Bill does, plus a more detailed explanation of individual provisions.
Policy Memorandum: this sets out the objectives of the Bill. It also lists any alternatives considered, details of consultations, and an assessment of the effects of the Bill on a range of areas.
Financial Memorandum: this sets out estimates of costs, savings, and any changes to revenues expected to result from the Bill.
Delegated Powers Memorandum: this is needed if a Bill gives powers to make subordinate legislation or allows Scottish Ministers to issue directions, guidance or codes of practice.
Statements on legislative competence: two short statements, one by the Presiding Officer and one by the Member introducing the Bill. “Legislative competence” means the powers the Parliament has to make law.
Annie Wells MSP is the additional member in charge for the Right to Addiction Recovery (Scotland) Bill.
The Member who introduces the Bill is also, in the first instance, the ‘Member in charge’ of it. They may choose to name an ‘additional Member in charge’. This gives the Member in charge an assurance that any necessary procedural steps can still be taken if they are unavailable for a period or on a particular occasion.
The Presiding Officer has decided under Rule 9.12 of Standing Orders that a financial resolution is required for this Bill.
For each Bill, the Presiding Officer must decide if a 'Financial Resolution' is required. The main reasons a Bill would need a Financial Resolution are that:
If a Bill requires a Financial Resolution:
The Bill was introduced on 14 May 2024
At Stage 1, the Bill is given to a lead committee. This is usually the committee whose remit most closely relates to the subject of the Bill. The lead committee will consider and report on the Bill. Other committees may also examine the Bill and report to the lead committee. Finally, there is a debate and vote by all MSPs on the general principles of the Bill. If the general principles are not agreed to, then the Bill ‘falls’ and can’t become law.
The lead committee for this Bill is the Health, Social Care and Sport Committee.
The lead committee will usually examine the Bill through evidence sessions. This will involve contributions from individuals and organisations, known as 'witnesses', with knowledge of the subject matter. The committee might also discuss the Bill in private sessions.