PLANS for a national drug rehabilitation facility in Saltcoats have taken a step closer following a meeting between a Scottish Government minister and councillors.

According to the chosen provider Phoenix Futures, no site has been confirmed yet, but they are looking at options across the Three Towns and will announce the chosen site ‘within weeks’.

The proposals for the rehab centre were announced in August as part of the Scottish Government’s response to the rising drug death crisis.

It came days after it was revealed the Scotland had another record total of drug deaths in 2020, with 1,339 deaths.

The Scottish Government also previously confirmed that Saltcoats would be the chosen location of the new rehab facility, which will have space for 20 families.

Now the government have met for the first time with council officials to get the ball rolling on discussions for the site.

Angela Constance, the drug policy minister, said the decision to open the new facility was part of the ‘national mission’ to prevent drug deaths – and the centre is believed to be for female drug users and their families.

Ms Constance alongside representatives with the Scottish Government and Phoenix Futures, met with North Ayrshire Council last week.

A spokesperson for the Scottish Government said: “We know there is an immediate need for more residential rehab beds to help tackle the drug problem in Scotland.

"It is also clear that specialist support is particularly required for families.

“One of the National Mission Funds - The Recovery Fund - aims to support access to residential rehabilitation by providing more rehab beds.

"Any proposals to the fund have to be considered on their merits and the process for establishing new facilities will have to undergo all the necessary challenges and assurances expected nationally and locally.”

However, the Scottish Government’s decision to use Phoenix Futures, who run centres in Sheffield and Glasgow, may conflict with North Ayrshire’s Community Wealth Building programme, which encourages services to be procured from local supply chains.

North Ayrshire Council Leader, Joe Cullinane, said: “We discussed the site location process, the services that will be delivered by Phoenix Futures and their record of delivery in Sheffield.

We also offered Phoenix Futures support from the Councils Community Wealth Building team to ensure that there are opportunities for local businesses to win contracts during the refurb of the building and to ensure the recruitment process offers job opportunities for local residents.”

When queried by the Herald, the Scottish Government said: “Phoenix Futures work with local health and social care professionals and the wider local community in deciding where best to locate new services.

"They want to create a resource that supports local and national health and social care strategy and become an asset to the local area.

“We are talking with key local delivery partners, discussing integration with NHS services and involving the local community.”

A spokesperson for Phoenix Futures said: “Phoenix Futures is currently exploring possible locations in North Ayrshire for its National Specialist Family Service.

"We expect to confirm the location of this service in the coming weeks.”

Cllr Cullinane added: “We stressed to the Minister and the charity that they need to communicate with our communities on the service and we were assured that they will do so in the coming weeks.

“Scotland’s drug deaths record is our national shame and we need many more rehab beds across the country.

"The Saltcoats proposal is a small step in that direction.”