Very little has changed for people living with drug addiction and for families trying to keep people alive, a support group has said.

Despite the Scottish Government announcing earlier this year hundreds of millions of pounds, over five years, for drug services, one group said the reality is things look and feel the same

Tomorrow the drug death statistics for 2020 will be revealed and it is expected to show yet another increase in deaths, from last year’s record total for 2019, when 1264 people lost their lives across Scotland.

Scottish Families Affected by Alcohol and Drugs said that families are desperate for the change they have been demanding for years but that for too many it is too late.

Scottish Families shared three stories of people who have come to them for help to keep family members alive long enough to get effective treatment for their addiction.

They are all being helped by the Holding On service supporting those with family members at risk of dying in a drug related death.

Rose, asked for help dealing with her son’s action to multiple drugs, heroin, cocaine, crack, ‘street valium’ and methadone.

When he was released from prison he had a relapse, which was exactly what the mother was worried would happen.

She gave him Naloxone, the overdose reversal treatment, when she spotted the symptoms of overdose and he survived.

Scottish Families said: “Through our support, Rose has returned to work after time off due to stress and is more able to look after herself, put boundaries in place for her son, and follow through with the natural consequences of drug addiction.

“Her son is now in contact with treatment services, and although he is still using drugs, there are positive changes happening, due to Rose receiving support.”

Abbie’s son is addicted to street valium, cocaine, acid and alcohol. He has mental health problems and can be violent and aggressive. He also self-harms and often talks about killing himself. He has been in treatment a few times, but never long enough to get well.

Scottish Families said: “Abbie has made changes in her life, including her own behaviour when it comes to her son.

“She now knows she sometimes has to take a break from supporting her son to look after herself, but can still support him and encourage him to get help.

“Her son is still using substances and is unwell, but cannot get support with this from services at the moment.”

Imogen’s son who was living with her is addicted to heroin, ‘street valium’ and crack and has a daughter who uses drugs.

Scottish Families said: “Imogen learned how to look after herself and her own mental health. She was supported in knowing the risks involved with her adult children’s drug use and was trained in using naloxone if it was ever needed.”

Her children are in contact with treatment services but she said they “seem to be stuck’.

The organisation said the stories “echo those of thousands of families across Scotland”.

Justina Murray, CEO of Scottish Families, said: “With the announcement this week of another heartbreaking drug death toll in Scotland, we are sadly hearing the same stories about families’ desperate attempts to keep their loved ones alive.

“Whilst we welcome the millions of pounds of new funding to address drug harms, along with a raft of new initiatives, strategies and plans, the reality on the ground is that things still look and feel the same for families.

“We will only see change in the drug death figures when families tell us things have changed for the better.

“For years families have been shouting about the lack of treatment and care options for their loved ones, particularly for co-existing drugs and mental health issues; judgemental services which are near impossible to access and sustain; the lack of any clear care and recovery plans; and their exclusion from key decisions alongside an assumption they will constantly step into the breach where services fail.

“Families are holding on to hope and holding on for change, but time has run out for too many.”