TEN lives have been lost to drugs across the Argyll and West Dunbartonshire in the first three months of this year, new government figures show.

The worrying numbers detailed in the Scottish Government report come as the SNP Holyrood administration takes criticism for failing to fully implement five standards aimed at improving outcomes for drug users by April 2023.

Deputy leader of Scottish Labour, Dame Jackie Baillie, has branded the figures as a 'travesty' and told First Minister Humza Yousaf to get his act together.

She said: "It’s over three and a half years since the SNP declared drugs deaths a public health emergency, but we are still left with missed targets and broken promises.

"Ten people have died in Argyll and West Dunbartonshire in the first three months of this year showing that families are still being torn apart because of drugs.

Clydebank Post: Dame Jackie Baillie slammed the Scottish GovernmentDame Jackie Baillie slammed the Scottish Government (Image: Newsquest)

“I commend local agencies like Alternatives who are working hard to help people in need but we must ensure they have the tools and resources to do their job.

"The Scottish Government talks about working with local stakeholders and these are exactly the kind of groups with the expertise to make a difference.

“These standards are meant to improve the quality of care for those struggling with substance misuse but patients have been left behind by a government that is more concerned with warm words than real action.

“The SNP’s shocking failure to meet their own targets will only make this national crisis even worse.

“Humza Yousaf must set out a real plan to tackle this issue and ensure that those struggling with substance abuse have access to the care and support they need to get better.”

Figures released this week revealed that for Medication Assisted Treatment (MAT)  standards one to five, which are aimed at ensuring safe, accessible and consistently high-quality treatment for drug users to help reduce drug deaths and other harms, only 66 per cent are fully implemented.

However, the Scottish Government defended their record, insisting money has been ring-fenced to tackle the issue and fully implement the MAT standards.

Drugs and alcohol policy minister Elena Whitham said: “We are focused on getting more people into the form of treatment which works best for them. 

"Through our £250 million National Mission on drugs, we have continued to expand residential rehabilitation, supported 300 grass-roots projects, and continued to drive implementation of the Medication Assisted Treatment (MAT) Standards.

“I’m pleased that this benchmarking report has highlighted substantial progress in rolling out these vital, life-saving treatment standards of care which support the consistent delivery of safe, accessible, high-quality drug treatment.

“Standards one to five are now fully implemented in two-thirds of ADPs – up from one-fifth last year - and I would like to thank all those who have helped achieve this.

"Despite this welcome progress, we’re determined to go further and we’ll continue to work with Alcohol and Drug Partnerships (ADPs) across the country.”