Drugs Deaths Task Force women-only services: FOI release

Information requested

The following information about work undertaken by the Scottish Government's 'Drug's Death Task Force': https://www.gov.scot/groups/drugdeaths- task-force/

The Drug's Death Task Force recently published their 'Women's Report': https://drugdeathstaskforce.scot/news-information/publications/reports/womens-report/

The report contains the following recommendations:

"Work with wider policy areas in Scottish Government as well as relevant stakeholders to ensure that work to develop ‘women only’ services and gender mainstreaming does not increase exclusion of trans and nonbinary people."

"When considering gender in the development of policy and services, particularly ‘women only’ services, caution must be taken not to exclude or disadvantage trans and nonbinary people. Services should be inclusive and responsive to individual needs. This was something the group were acutely aware of, and it was recognised that further specific focus on this is required, beyond the scope of this group."

"When doing this consider how these services can be supported without excluding trans or nonbinary people or negatively impacting the experience of men who are still in great need of services and support."

A) a copy of all internal briefings, research, drafts, or communications (including emails, attachments, typed or handwritten notes, letters, notes/records of phone calls, minutes of meetings, briefings, WhatsApp messages or otherwise) from members, staff or sub groups of the Drugs Deaths Task Force, relating to these recommendations (i.e to prevent the exclusion of trans, non-binary people or 'negatively impact' the experience of men) from 1st March 2021 to the 1st December 2021.

B) a copy of any research, briefings or communications on any further work that is being done or is planned to carry forward these recommendations from 1st December to date.

C) details and minutes of any further meetings, focus groups, discussions, roundtables or similar that have taken forward work on these recommendations from 1st December to date.

Response

We append a copy of the information you have requested.

Whilst our aim is to provide information whenever possible, in this instance we are unable to provide all of the information you have requested because exemptions under sections: 29(1)(a) - formulation/development of government policy; 30(b)(i) - substantial inhibition to free and frank provision of advice; 30(b)(ii) - substantial inhibition to free and frank exchange of views; 25 – Information otherwise accessible, apply. 38 - personal data. The reasons why those exemption(s) apply are explained in the Annex to this letter.

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The Scottish Government is committed to publishing all information released in response to Freedom of Information requests. View all FOI responses at http://www.gov.scot/foi-responses.

FOI - 202200276062 - information released

File type

14 page PDF

File size

172.9 kB

FOI - 202200276062 - information released - Annex

File type

2 page PDF

File size

100.2 kB