A new one stop shop could be the first of many to help people recover from drug and alcohol addiction opened in Edinburgh on Friday.

The South East Recovery Hub in Craigmillar is the first known facility in the country for addicts that combines services provided by the NHS, local authority and the voluntary sector.

The hub will provide help in various forms including harm reduction advice, medical treatments and counselling.

Local MSP and Justice Secretary, Kenny MacAskill officially opened the hub where he acknowledged that Scotland has a “significant problem with alcohol and drug abuse”.

He said: “We do have drug and alcohol problems in many communities in Scotland and this is about professional support going in but it’s allowing peer support being given.

“Its about a community hub because at the end of the day individuals need to recognise the problem and rise to the challenge but they have to live in their communities and the community needs to rally round that’s what we are seeing being created and established here.”

Peter Gabbitas, chair of Edinburgh Alcohol and Drug Partnership said: “Prior to this what we had was a whole range of services and how to access them was really difficult indeed.

“What we are trying to do is to make access to these services as quick and as easy as possible.

“Now we’ve changed the location of things by bringing everything together but we’ve also made it an instant access service, it’s a drop in service so there are no waiting times at all so if you are reaching out and want to receive a support service now get that instantly.”

Mr Gabbitas explained that similar services are provided in Scotland where council and NHS services have been brought together but he believes this is the first example of the voluntary sector being involved as well.

Charlie Steel, 60, is a recovering alcoholic of 39 years and he uses the Cragimillar service. He said: "This is absolutely amazing, a dream come true after 39 years.

"I've always felt there was a lack of communication between services but now with everything in one place this is a huge improvement."