Rachael Hamilton MSP has expressed her concern over new figures which show that more than 1,200 people in Scotland died of drug misuse last year.
The delayed figures showed that there were a record number of deaths for the sixth year in a row across Scotland, with the highest total since records began in 1996.
The figure of 1,264 is a 6% increase on 2018 and more than double the number of deaths in 2014. Sadly, it was revealed that nearly 7 in 10 were male, with over two thirds aged 35 – 54.
In the Borders, the drug death rate for 2015-19 was 0.13 per 100,000.
Scotland now has the worst rate recorded in Europe and about three times and a half times the rate for England and Wales.
Scotland's drug problem was declared a public health emergency 18 months ago, as a result in the sharp rise in deaths. The Scottish Government set up a drugs death taskforce yet the situation has continued to worsen.
Mrs Hamilton has urged the Scottish Government to fund rehabilitation services to ensure people can escape the cycle of drug addiction.
She volunteered at Phoenix Futures project at Glenlude planting trees, which is one of the many ways in which they help with drug rehabilitation.
Rachael Hamilton MSP said:
“Behind these statistics is a family which has lost a loved one to drugs.
“The tragic loss of life could have been avoided in many cases and it is no doubt that the SNP Government’s cuts to drug rehab and addiction programmes have played a significant part in this terrible story.
"It is shocking that drug deaths have doubled in a decade, yet we see little in the way of action from the SNP.
“The Scottish Conservatives have backed calls from rehab organisations – including Favor Scotland, Jericho House and Phoenix Futures - for a £20 million Scottish Recovery Fund.
“I believe that we need increased funding for rehab services to help people to tackle their addiction and help them rebuild their lives again”.