National Mission: annual report 2024-2025

9. Governance

9.1 Overview

The delivery of the National Mission on Drugs is supported by stakeholders on a range of groups to support our policy objectives. The Scottish Government value the specialised and expert input that these groups can contribute to policy development and implementation and ensure that actions are done so based on frontline and lived and living experience. The National Mission Oversight Group provides overall scrutiny and input on the National Mission as a whole.

9.1.1 National Mission Oversight Group

The National Drugs Mission Oversight Group was set up by the former Minister for Drugs, Angela Constance, meeting for the first time in June 2022. The core of our national mission is to take action based on what we know works to reduce harm, promote recovery and save lives.

The group meets every three months to:

• scrutinise the Scottish Government’s plan to deliver the National Mission,
• provide expert advice on policy areas and service delivery,
• share best practice,
• promote accountability in the system at a national and local level.

9.1.2 National Mission Delivery Group

The National Mission Delivery Group was created to drive forward the final year of the Mission and address key challenges in the sector. It brings together senior leaders from across the system to foster collective leadership and shared accountability. The group:

• Reviews progress reports, milestones, and risks to ensure timely delivery.

• Offers strategic direction for the development of the Drugs and Alcohol Plan that will succeed the National Mission.

• Ensures a smooth transition by maintaining continuity of existing programmes and services.

9.1.3 Other Key Groups

Clinical Advisory Group

The Clinical Advisory Group, chaired by Marion Bain, the Deputy Chief Medical Officer, was established in April 2023. The group is scheduled to meet bi-annually and this is also supplemented by ongoing correspondence for urgent work in between meetings.

The purpose of the group is to:

• provide clinical expertise to local and national policy and decision makers,
• be champions of change, innovation and research in response to Drug Deaths Task Force (DDTF), Medically Assisted Treatment (MAT), Residential Rehabilitation (RR) National Collaborative (NC),

• Reviews data and evidence to support those at highest risk.
• Advises on the effectiveness of interventions and areas for improvement.

Residential Rehabilitation Development Working Group (RRDWG)

The Residential Rehabilitation Development Working Group (RRDWG) was dissolved on 24 February 2024, as there is a need to shift our focus on how to establish a sustainable future for residential rehabilitation once the National Mission ends after this parliamentary term in 2026.

The Future of Residential Rehabilitation Working Group (FRRWG)

Chaired by Dr David McCartney and vice-chaired by Lyndsey Hague, this group meets bi-monthly to provide independent advice on the future of residential rehabilitation.

The purpose of the group is to:

• Advises the Minister and wider sector on sustainability post-2026.

• Builds the evidence base for effective rehabilitation, preparation, and aftercare.

• Recommend best practices and funding strategies to improve outcomes.

Workforce Expert Delivery Group (WEDG)

Established in 2022 and chaired by Mark Kelly, Nursing Director for Dumfries and Galloway, this group reports to the Minister for Drugs and Alcohol Policy and Sport.

The purpose of the group is to:

• Bring together sector experts to address workforce challenges.

• Play a key role in developing the 2023–2026 Workforce Action Plan.

• Provide oversight and strategic advice on implementation of the plan.

9.2 Accountability

Scottish Government Ministers are accountable at national level for tackling drug-related deaths and harms. Ministers are responsible for the provision of national strategy, and any associated specific funding for that strategy, to supplement the broader national and local funding aimed at tackling social deprivation and improving health, equity, and equality.

Local accountability and responsibility for the planning and delivery of alcohol and drug services sits with Integration Authorities as legislated for through The Public Bodies Joint Working (Scotland) Act 2014 and The Public Bodies (Joint Working) (Prescribed Local Authority Functions etc.) (Scotland) Regulations 2014.

The Partnership Delivery Framework (2019) (PDF) sets out the arrangements for key local delivery partners to work collaboratively within Alcohol and Drug Partnerships (ADPs) to develop local strategic planning, drawing on the wealth of experience and resource of those around the ADP table. The Scottish Government are currently working with COSLA to consult with a range of delivery partners and pursue a comprehensive revision of the PDF to ensure that it provides a robust underpinning of important partnership working, greater clarity in accountability, and improvement in joined-up services.

The oversight arrangements for implementing MAT Standards have also strengthened accountability to communities, through the involvement of lived and living experience in the required quarterly or monthly reporting.