National Mission on Drugs: Annual Monitoring Report 2024-2025
This third annual monitoring report provides an analysis of the progress made between April 2024 and March 2025 on the National Mission to reduce drug deaths and improve lives.
2. Introduction
In January 2021, the Scottish Government announced a National Mission to reduce drug deaths and improve lives of those affected by drugs, supported by an additional £50 million funding annually for the 2021-26 parliamentary term.
The National Mission on Drug Deaths: Plan 2022-2026 sets out six outcomes. These outcomes, along with six cross-cutting priorities, were developed in collaboration with stakeholders, including those with lived experience and are illustrated in Figure 1.
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 third annual monitoring report provides an analysis of the progress made between April 2024 and March 2025 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. It provides a robust statistical backdrop to better understand and monitor progress and complements the National Mission on Drugs Annual Report 2024-2025 (published September 2025), which outlines the activity, developments and achievements made towards the National Mission by national government, local government and third sector partners.
This report is structured around the six National Mission outcomes. Each outcome chapter includes a summary of the metrics for the outcome, followed by an introduction outlining relevant background information and policy context. Time-series data on each metric are then presented. Comparisons are provided with previous years’ data where available to comment on progress made. Where data covering the period 2024/25 are not yet available, data up to the most recently published date have been included.