National Mission on Drugs: Annual Monitoring Report 2023-2024
This second annual monitoring report provides an analysis of the progress made
between April 2023 and March 2024 on the National Mission to reduce drug deaths and improve lives.
2. Introduction
In January 2021, the Scottish Government announced a National Mission aiming to reduce drug deaths and improve lives of those affected by drugs. The Mission is supported by an additional £50 million funding per year over the lifetime of this Parliament (2021 to 2026).
The National Mission on Drug Deaths: Plan 2022-2026 sets out six outcomes: preventing people from developing problem drug use; reducing harms from the consumption of drugs; getting more people into high quality treatment and recovery services; addressing the needs of people with multiple and complex needs, and supporting families and communities affected by problem drug use.
These outcomes, alongside six cross-cutting priorities, have been developed in collaboration with stakeholders, including representatives with lived experience. The cross-cutting priorities demonstrate the complexity of the challenge faced and the need for a whole systems approach to underpin the design and delivery of this work.
The National Mission Outcomes Framework (‘the framework’) is set out in Figure 1.
Figure 1: National Mission Outcomes Framework
Number of drug misuse deaths registered in Scotland 2019-2023
Cross- Cutting Priorities
- Lived Experience at the Heart
- Equalities and Human Rights
- Tackle Stigma
- Surveillance and Data Informed
- Resilient and Skilled Workforce
- Psychologically Informed
Reduce Deaths and Improve Lives
01 Fewer people develop problem drug use
a) Young people receive evidence based, effective holistic interventions to prevent problem drug use
b) People have early access to support for emerging problem drug use
c) Supply of harmful drugs is reduced
02 Risk is reduced for people who take harmful drugs
a) Overdoses are prevented from becoming fatal
b) All people are offered evidence based harm reduction and advice
03 People at most risk have access to treatment and recovery
a) People at high risk are proactively identified and offered support
b) Effective pathways between justice and community services are established
c) Effective Near-Fatal Overdose Pathways are established across Scotland
04 People receive high quality treatment and recovery services
a) People are supported to make informed decisions about treatment options
b) Residential rehabilitation is available for all those who will benefit
c) People are supported to remain in treatment for as long as requested
d) People have the option to start medication- assisted treatment from the same day of presentation
e) People have access to high standard, evidence based, compassionate and quality assured treatment options
05 Quality of life is improved by addressing multiple disadvantages
a) All needs are addressed through joined up, person centred services
b) Wider health and social care needs are addressed through informed, compassionate services
c) Advocacy is available to empower individuals
06 Children, families and communities affected by substance use are supported
a) Family members are empowered to support their loved one’s recovery
b) Family members are supported to achieve their own recovery
c) Communities are resilient and supportive
This second annual monitoring report provides an analysis of the progress made between April 2023 and March 2024 towards reducing the number of drug deaths and improving the lives of people affected by drugs in Scotland. It reports on the set of metrics described in the National Mission on Drugs Outcomes Framework: Monitoring Metrics technical paper, which are used to monitor progress towards the National Mission, and, where possible, compares progress with the first annual monitoring report published in December 2023 which covered the period April 2022 to March 2023. It provides a robust statistical backdrop to better understand and monitor progress and complements the National Mission on Drugs Annual Report 2023-2024 (published September 2024), which outlines the activity, developments and achievements made towards the National Mission by national government, local government and third sector partners between April 2023 and March 2024. In addition, the independent evaluation of the National Mission by Public Health Scotland is expected to draw on these annual monitoring reports.
This report is structured around the six National Mission outcomes. Each outcome chapter includes a summary of the metrics for a given outcome, followed by an introduction outlining relevant background information and policy context. Time-series data on each metric are then presented alongside commentary on any additional data or statistics that provide a wider picture and context. Comparisons are provided with the previous year’s data where available in order to comment on progress made. Where data covering the period 2023/24 are not yet available, data up to the most recently published date have been included. Additional sources of data relevant to understanding each metric are included where possible. Each chapter concludes with a discussion of the overall progress made towards the outcome by drawing on insights from across the metrics. The final section of the report provides a brief discussion exploring where data development would support more complete monitoring of progress, including monitoring of the cross-cutting priorities.
There has been a wide range of individual policies and initiatives introduced as part of the National Mission. Assessing the extent to which progress is being made towards an individual outcome, and attributing this to any interventions associated with the National Mission, is not possible in the context of this quantitative monitoring report. Short of attribution, it is possible to explore individual metrics to understand if there has been any change since the start of the National Mission and, where possible, compare this to previous trend data.