23rd January 2024
As we commemorate Addiction Awareness Week with the poignant theme, "Everyone Knows Someone," we gather to confront a reality that has, for far too long, been shrouded in darkness. This week serves as a stark reminder that addiction is not a distant specter; it's a harsh and relentless presence in many of our lives.
The statistics paint a grim picture. Year after year, the numbers of deaths continue to rise, and the people we lose to addiction are not just statistics; they are sons, daughters, parents, siblings, and friends. While the exact figures may vary, the undeniable truth is that addiction-related deaths are climbing at an alarming rate. The tragedy is that these losses are not mere numbers on a chart; they are a heart-wrenching testament to the toll this crisis is taking on our communities.
Addiction Awareness Week is not a time for complacency; it's a time for action. It's a call to arms, a reminder that we need to unite, to stand together as a society, and to shed light on addiction's darkest corners. It's an urgent plea to address this crisis with the urgency it deserves.
Despite the bleak landscape, we must also hold onto hope. Hope that, by acknowledging the severity of the issue, we can collectively work to reverse the harrowing trend. Hope that, through awareness and understanding, we can reduce the stigma associated with addiction, making it easier for individuals to seek help without judgment or fear.
Recovery is the beacon of hope that shines through the darkness of addiction. It is a testament to the resilience of the human spirit, the strength of support systems, and the power of access to proper treatment. As we remember those we've lost, we must also champion those who have found their path to recovery.
This is not a battle that we can fight alone; it requires the efforts of our entire community. It's time to prioritise not just awareness but access to quality treatment and support.
I urge everyone to give careful thought & support to the forthcoming discussions in the Scottish Parliament regarding the Right to Recovery Bill. #OorBill. It is a historic moment where we have the unique chance to enact a law that ensures our loved ones, who so desperately need help, can access the care and treatment they so urgently require, irrespective of their financial means. This legislation has the potential to transform the lives of countless individuals for the better & make treatment access and choice truly equitable.
Together, we can forge a future where everyone knows someone who found their way to recovery, where addiction no longer claims lives at the current staggering rate.
Let Addiction Awareness Week serve as a solemn reminder, a call to action, and a beacon of hope. Let's commit to working tirelessly, to challenging the status quo, to advocating for equitable access to recovery resources, and to fostering a society where everyone knows someone who has triumphed over addiction.
It's time to change the narrative, to bring addiction out of the shadows, and to create a world where "everyone knows someone" not as a victim of addiction but as a symbol of resilience, recovery and hope.
