National Mission on Drugs: annual report 2025 to 2026

9. Governance

9.1 Overview

The delivery of the National Mission on Drugs has been supported by stakeholders through their participation in a range of groups that contribute to our policy objectives. The Scottish Government values the specialist and expert input these groups bring to policy development and implementation, helping to ensure that actions are informed by frontline and lived and living experience. The National Mission Oversight Group has provided 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 the National Mission was to take action based on what we know works to reduce harm, promote recovery and save lives.

The Group met 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.

The final meeting of the National Mission Oversight Group took place in March 2026. Publication of the Strategic Plan provided an opportunity to review and update our governance structures, in order to ensure that robust assurance is in place, with meaningful lived and living experience involvement.

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 brought together senior leaders from across the system to foster collective leadership and shared accountability. The group:

• Reviewed progress reports, milestones, and risks to ensure timely delivery.
• Offered strategic direction for the development of the Alcohol and Drugs Plan that succeeds the National Mission.
• Ensured a smooth transition by maintaining continuity of existing programmes and services.

The National Mission Delivery Group continued in an expanded form throughout 2025/26 to support the transition to the Strategic Plan.

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 to provide clinical expertise for the National Mission. The group moved from quarterly meetings to being convened when clinical advice was necessary and was supplemented by correspondence for urgent work in between meetings.

The purpose of the group was to:

• provide clinical expertise to local and national policy and decision makers,
• be champions of change, innovation and research in response to the National Mission on Drugs,
• review data and evidence to support those at highest risk,
• advise on the effectiveness of interventions and areas for improvement.

The Future of Residential Rehabilitation Working Group (FRRWG)

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

The purpose of the group was to:

• Advise the Minister and wider sector on sustainability post-2026.
• Build the evidence base for effective rehabilitation, preparation, and aftercare.
• Recommend best practice and funding strategies to improve outcomes.

Workforce Expert Delivery Group (WEDG)

The Alcohol and Drugs Workforce Expert Delivery Group was established in September 2022 and met until June 2025.

Chaired by Mark Kelly, interim Nurse Director for NHS Dumfries and Galloway, the purpose of the group was to:

• bring together sector experts to address workforce challenges;
• play a key role in developing the 2023/26 Workforce Action Plan;
• provide oversight and strategic advice on implementation of the plan.

In June 2025, the Chair wrote to the Minister recommending the formal dissolution of the WEDG, on the basis that the group had successfully achieved the aims and objectives established in September 2022 and the group was formally dissolved thereafter.

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.

After extensive consultation with national and local partners, the Scottish Government and COSLA issued the joint publication of a revised Partnership Delivery Framework (PDF) in March 2026. The PDF clarifies the roles, responsibilities, lines of accountability, and best practices that ensure optimal partnership working in the formulation, planning, delivery, and reporting and evaluation of services for people affected by the use of alcohol and drugs. Following publication, the Scottish Government and COSLA will be monitoring how provisions of the PDF are being implemented and working closely with partners, per our commitment within the Strategic Plan, to support enhanced capacity and consistency across ADP Chairs and Officers, whilst protecting the autonomy and flexibility of local planning and decision-making.