Across Scotland, between 1 April and 30 June 2018, 6 927 people sought alcohol treatment with 94.1 waiting three weeks or less. 4 823 sought drug treatment with 93.7% waiting three weeks or less.
Of Scotland’s fifteen health boards, only NHS Lothian missed the 5-week target of 90% (by less than 1%) and only four (Lothian, Glasgow, Shetland, Tayside) missed the 3-week target. Eight boards came very close to 100% success.
And in England, no sign of official figures being kept anymore, but see this:
‘The number of people being admitted to hospital due to problems with alcohol has hit a record high in England, new figures show, following steep cuts to addiction support services in recent years. Spending on drug and alcohol support services across England fell by 16 per cent in the four years to 2017, as revealed by The Independent in August. The latest figures show there has been a 13 per cent rise in hospital admissions over the same period. Separate data last year showed the number of people getting government-funded support to tackle their addictions had decreased by 10 per cent in three years, with the number of interventions falling from 308,118 in 2013-14 to 278,489 in 2016-17.’
Talking-up Scotland 
NHS Tayside is a particular bete noir for BBC Scotland. I am sure they will be delighted to see these figures giving them another chance to put the boot in. Context? Stuff context when Nomedia can get a bad news story!
Given the chaotic lives many drugs and alcohol abusers lead, it is very pleasing to see that so many are seeking help. With the other data recently regarding the reduction in the number of young people drinking alcohol and the continuing reduction in people smoking, looking at the long term trend, the health message seems to be getting through.
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