FAMILIES supporting their children battling a drug addiction have called for improved services across Scotland to save lives.

They asked for an end to the stigmatisation of drug users, and their families, to encourage people to seek help before it is too late.

Two mothers spoke of their lengthy struggles to get help for their son and daughter to get them drug free.

Read More: Glasgow set for drug death rise

Later this month the latest drug related death statistics are due to be released and the expectation is Glasgow is about to witness another increase to a new record high of fatalities.

There were 170 deaths in the city related to drugs in 2017 and it is expected to top 200 for 2018. In Scotland the 934 figure for 2017, is expected to top 1000.

Scottish Families Affected by Alcohol and Drugs has launched its Behind the Numbers campaign in Glasgow highlighting the impact on families but also the need to involve families in delivering services.

Sandra, from Midlothian, said her daughter Elaine is 38 and has been addicted to drugs for 20 years.

She said: “ My daughter is a kind and caring person but through addiction she’s had a terrible experience.

“My daughter had to wait two years for an appointment. In all that time she continued to use heroin. Every day she was dicing with death.”

Read more Scotland gripped by drug epidemic

Sandra said she has been fighting for more than four years to get better services and said Midlothian has changed their model and improvements are ongoing . She wants to see improvements nationally.

Another mum Karen, from Kilmarnock, said of her son Lee: “He’s a lovely boy talented and funny. The frustrating thing is he is so consumed by the drugs. He needs support.”

She said there is a stigma attached to drug users and also their families which needs to change.

The mum added: “There is a person, a human being and they deserve dignity and respect no matter what service they are in.

“You are very lucky these days if you don’t have a family member affected by addiction. There is a judgement and some people think those with an addiction are the scum of society.”

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SFAAD said :”Behind these numbers lies an even larger group of people at high risk of serious harm and death. This group is still alive against the odds, many thanks to the tireless, unrecognised and unsupported efforts of their families.”