As evangelicals, we speak up on issues that matter with the hope that Jesus brings, even painful and difficult issues involving despair and suffering. An issue that has become prominent in Scotland over the past few years is that of addiction to alcohol and drugs. Numbers of illness and deaths from addiction have been growing over the years and par-ticularly during the pandemic.

The latest statistics in Scotland have shown the worsening scale of addiction deaths and related problems in the country. In 2020, 1,337 people died from drug-related issues, the highest number registered since records began; the issue has been described as ​“a national shame” by Scotland’s drugs policy minister. Alcohol-related deaths also grew by over 17 per cent on the previous year, the highest since 2008. Despite a slow decrease in alcohol-related deaths in the previous decade, figures have started rising again since 2019.

The effects of Covid-19 have inevitably resulted in individuals falling into this addiction trap. Many have either become addicted or experienced acceleration in their existing addiction troubles after being told to stay indoors, lacking social interaction, and facing the closure of community and recovery centres that once would have aided recovery from alcohol and drugs. People’s mental health has taken a massive nose dive over the past few years and many have turned to drugs and alcohol as a coping mechanism. Social isolation has also meant many face-to-face meetings that would have occurred for patients have not happened, re-moving any form of accountability and assistance given. The lack of a stable socio-economic structure for their life has often been a cause, which the pandemic has exacerbated.

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"Many have either become addicted or experienced acceleration in their existing addiction troubles after being told to stay indoors, lacking social interaction, and facing the closure of community and recovery centres that once would have aided recovery from alcohol and drugs."

Even in the midst of the devastation caused by addiction, there are two reasons to take courage. Firstly, we are thankful for the work of Christian organisations and churches across the country that are already addressing these issues, providing hope through their recovery systems. Our Stories of Hope provided us with a collection of people and places dedicated to this cause, inviting the Spirit to bring hope to those in the midst of despair — organisations such as:

  • Glasgow City Mission and Edinburgh City Mission, which have for years sought to help those suffering from these issues;
  • the Havilah Project established in Arbroath, providing a safe space for addicts to gain a supportive community; and
  • the Vine Church in Dunfermline and their partnership with Christians Against Poverty.

Give thanks for these leaders who have answered the calling to carry the grace and hope of God into the darkness experienced by those with addiction troubles.

Secondly, we give thanks that our God is sovereign over all the earth and that His power is stronger than any force the evil one throws at him. He has brought new life to thousands who were once trapped by addiction to drugs and alcohol, and we praise Him that many more will be saved through His atoning sacrifice revealed in His Word.

The fact is there still remains urgent work and care to be shown towards those who are affected by addiction, unable to access the treatment service they so desperately require. The Government has recently added an extra £50 million to these recovery measures, whilst the Scottish Conservatives are preparing a private members bill, providing a legal treatment framework for those suffering from addiction.

"The fact is there still remains urgent work and care to be shown towards those who are affected by addiction, unable to access the treatment service they so desperately require."

The work of churches and Christian institutions does not stop either. The Evangelical Alliance has recently responded to the consultation on the Conservatives’ bill after consulting with and receiving information from a number of our members. Over the coming months we are seeking to engage further with those involved in addiction recovery, developing on the Stories of Hope resource produced during the height of the pandemic. There are aspirations to hold parliamentary events to showcase the great hope offered by churches and organisations helping those in recovery, and we want to seek our members’ input and cooperation in sharing these good news stories.

Now seems a more crucial time than ever to be more intentional in our prayers for the lost, to help those broken by the effects of addiction and to seek His mercy and grace for more people in our nation today. We have a duty of responsibility to help those in need, and the addiction issues affecting Scotland have presented us with an urgent case.

"Over the coming months we are seeking to engage further with those involved in addiction recovery."