Aberdeen North MSP has welcom3ed a Scottish Government announcement which will see funding increase for health boards to tackle the scourge of drug addiction across Scotland.

Mr Adam in particular welcomed a further the announcement by the Minister for Community Safety, Fergus Ewing, where he announced a £938,000 contribution towards a new integrated drugs treatment and rehabilitation facility in the city.

Commenting Mr Adam said:

"This is not only good news for Scotland in the fight against drug addiction but particularly good news for Aberdeen with a Government contribution to the new integrated drugs treatment and rehabilitation facility.
 
"In 2007 the SNP said we would develop and agree a long term national strategy to tackle the scourge of drug addiction in Scotland. This news shows we are delivering on that promise.
 
"There are no short term fixes to the problems of drug misuse in Scotland but this announcement goes some way to take that problem head on – particularly in Aberdeen."

At the announcement Mr Ewing said:

"Drug misuse harms individuals and damages communities. As the drugs strategy makes clear, promoting recovery from drug addiction is crucial to helping people turn around their lives, from misery to hope. It also makes families and communities safer.

"We want recovery to be the aim of all drug treatment and rehabilitation services - and we all want to see a wider range of services in place than there has been in the past.

"This means we must boost drug services across the country. That's why I'm delighted to announce that all Health Boards will receive significant funding increases for 2009-10. I have decided to retain as little of the drugs budget as possible for national projects - because I want to maximise the amounts we can give to health boards for the delivery of frontline drugs services.

"It will also help health boards and their partners increase their funding to voluntary organisations. The extra cash will help get those seeking help the treatment they need - and quickly."