7. To ask the Scottish Government what strategy it has to ensure that local authorities are sufficiently funded. (S5O-04218)

Figures released by the Scottish Government last week show that local authority debt has risen by nearly 15 per cent in just five years.

I am pleased to close for the Scottish Conservatives.

Will the member take an intervention?

I will quickly mention rehab beds. One of the problems with rehab beds is that quite often they are in psychiatric units.

In 2016, I gave evidence at a drug death inquiry for a young man who was just 16.

Will the member take an intervention?

I was working in the drug and alcohol system before the changes to welfare took place, so I know that it is not as simple as that.

They could let anybody in. They could not restrict who arrived, and guess who arrived on day 2— their drug dealer.

The member has missed one thing in his intervention. Many alcohol retailers already fund a lot of treatments.