None of a new set of standards for drug treatment in Glasgow have been fully met after the first year they have been in place, a report has shown.

The Medication Assisted Treatment (MAT) standards were introduced last year as part of the Scottish Government’s ‘national mission’ to reduce drug deaths.

It was intended they would be in place by April 2022.

READ MORE: RMT rail workers in Glasgow say why they are on strike and dispel high wage myths

The government says the MAT standards are designed to “ensure safe, accessible and consistently high-quality treatment for drug users to help reduce drug deaths and other harms and promote recovery".

The standards have only been partially met in Glasgow.

Across the country the picture was one of failure to implement the standards.

The report by Public Health Scotland showed only 25 of the 145 standards of care indicators had been fully met in any council area.

It found 94 had been partially met and 26 not implemented.

READ MORE: Benefits cap 'must be scrapped', poverty campaigners tell Rishi Sunak

Drug policy minister Angela Constance said progress is “neither good enough nor quick enough”.

The MAT standards one to five which are covered in the report are:

All people accessing services have the option to start MAT from the same day of presentation.

All people are supported to make an informed choice on what medication to use for MAT, and the appropriate dose.

All people at high risk of drug-related harm are proactively identified and offered support to commence or continue MAT.

All people are offered evidence-based harm reduction at the point of MAT delivery.

All people will receive support to remain in treatment for as long as requested.

Paul Sweeney, Glasgow Labour MSP, challenged the minister on what she was doing to ensure progress.

He said: “It is appalling Glasgow has not fully implemented a single MAT standard.

“What is the minister doing about it?”

Constance said: “I’m prepared to do the hard miles. I have demonstrated not just warm words but tough words of action.

"When it comes to MAT standards, I’m not asking and I’m not taking no for an answer.”

Campaigners and advocates of improved and a wider range of treatments also said the government had to take responsibility. 

Annmarie Ward, chief executive of Faces and Voices of Recovery, tweeted it was being presented as “bottom-up failure to implement”.

She called on the Scottish Government to back the Right to Recovery Bill developed by Favor which would enshrine in law the right to access treatment.

Constance said: “This report pulls no punches. It provides a level of detail which makes clear the progress being made is neither good enough nor quick enough.

“There is much room for improvement if we are to provide people with drugs problems the services and support they need regardless of their circumstances.”

A spokeswoman for Glasgow City Council, said: “Meeting the MAT standards fully was never going to be easy, despite the city’s developed system of care for people who use drugs.

“We have made significant progress broadening and improving services to better meet the needs of MAT standards and this will continue.”