Last week, it was revealed that the number of drug deaths across Scotland rose by 12 per cent. 

Right here in East Ayrshire, 31 people lost their lives to drugs last year. 

And 344 people have lost their lives to drugs here since 2010. 

Behind each of these statistics is a family in East Ayrshire grieving the loss of a loved one and my thoughts are with those experiencing this tragedy. 

Scotland’s drug deaths and these statistics show us that this is nothing short of a crisis 

And that’s why there must be a shared ambition, across the Scottish Parliament, to tackle it. 

The MSP has been vocal in her support of River Garden Auchincruive, which helps people in recovery.The MSP has been vocal in her support of River Garden Auchincruive, which helps people in recovery. (Image: MSP Sharon Dowey)

We have to confront the fact that Scotland’s drug deaths are far higher than the rest of the UK and that they remain the worst in Europe. 

And we have to look at how the SNP have mishandled this crisis during their 17 years in government. 

Nicola Sturgeon admitted that she took her eye off the ball on drug deaths. 

Governing is all about choices – and failing to invest in rehabilitation services was a choice that left those with an addiction with little support. 

Year on year, drug deaths continue to cause devastation across our communities. 

And those living in deprived communities here in East Ayrshire are even more affected by this crisis. 

To support those with addiction and get drug deaths down, the Scottish Conservatives introduced the Right to Recovery Bill. 

This Bill would enshrine in law a right to treatment for anyone who needs it – and it’s backed by frontline experts.

It could be life-changing for those in East Ayrshire suffering from addiction – but it will take political will to get it across the line. 

That’s why we need to see the SNP give it their full support.

We have to work across the political divide if we are to see drug deaths decline here in Ayrshire and across Scotland. 

We need to see all parties working together to get this Right to Recovery Bill into law – and hope that in the years to come, we can turn a page on Scotland’s drug deaths crisis and get those with an addiction the support they need.