National Mission Oversight Group minutes: June 2025

Attendees and apologies

Attendees and apologies 

• David Strang NMOG Chair
• Emma Crawshaw CREW2000
• Andy McAuley Glasgow Caledonian University
• Justina Murray CEO of Scottish Families Affected by Alcohol and Drugs
• Hannah Carver Stirling University
• Kirsten Horsburgh CEO of Scottish Drugs Forum
• Lorraine McGrath CEO Simon Community
• Sandra Holmes Lived and living experience representative
• Sally Amor NHS/ LLE Rep
• Susanna Galea-Singer Royal College of Psychiatrists committee member
• Tracey McFall Scottish Recovery Consortium
• Eddie Follan COSLA
• Duncan Hill Royal Pharmaceutical Society
• PI Donna MacKay Police Scotland
• Graeme Callander With You
• Chris Williams Royal College of General Practitioners

Also attended

• Alastair Gilchrist Chair of Scottish Health Action on Alcohol Problems (SHAAP)
• Laura Mahon Alcohol Focus Scotland
• Lynn McDonald The Thistle Centre
• Gillian Ferguson The Thistle Centre
• Ms. Maree Todd (Online) Minister for Drugs and Alcohol Policy and Sport
• Richard Foggo Scottish Government
• Laura Zeballos Scottish Government
• Maggie Page Scottish Government
• Morris Fraser Scottish Government
• Alistair Hodgson Scottish Government
• James Wilson Scottish Government
• Chloe Poole Scottish Government
• Murray Meikle Scottish Government
• Michael Crook Scottish Government
• Alison McVeigh Scottish Government

Apologies 

• Paul Johnston Public Health Scotland
• Laura Wilson Royal Pharmaceutical Society
• Gordon McKeand Police Scotland
• Iain Smith Keegan Smith Law
• Steph McCutcheon Each Recovery Matters
• Valerie White PHS
• Joanne McEwan Police Scotland
• Stephen McCulloch With You

Secretariat

• Paul Sutherland Scottish Government

Items and actions

Welcome and board governance

The Chair welcomed members and attendees to the thirteenth meeting of the National Mission Oversight Group (NMOG) and expressed appreciation for attendees accommodating the earlier start.

The Chair reflected on the sad passing of Ms. McKelvie and acknowledged her many years of service as an MSP and recognised her passion and commitment to public service. The sudden passing of drugs policy campaigner Peter Krykant was also acknowledged.

The Chair introduced the agenda items and reiterated that the purpose of the group is to hold the Scottish Government accountable for the implementation of the actions outlined in the 'Changing Lives' report by the Drug Deaths Taskforce.

The minute of the previous meeting on 13 March was formally approved. The Action and Advice Tracker was highlighted for the group's attention.

Minister for Drugs and Alcohol Policy - Intro and Q&A

The newly appointed Minister for Drugs and Alcohol Policy and Sport joined the meeting virtually and expressed commitment to the National Mission and to reducing both drug and alcohol-related deaths and harms.

•  She acknowledged the diverse expertise present and highlighted her previous experience as Minister for Public Health, Women’s Health and Sport.
•  She emphasised commitment to integrating drug and alcohol policy and making a long-term impact in Scotland, pledging to listen, learn, and work collaboratively.
•  Nearly 30 engagement sessions have been held since February, with more planned through July.

The Q&A session covered topics including family involvement in recovery, differences in treatment approaches for legal vs illegal substances, links between housing and poverty, and the role of sport and lived experience in building resilient communities.

Workshop - Post-26 Planning

A workshop focused on planning for the National Mission beyond 2026 was held, guided by three key themes:

• Aligning drug and alcohol policy
• The implementation gap
• Whole systems / holistic approach

Attendees were divided into breakout groups with rotating facilitators. Feedback will be shared at the September meeting.

SG Update since last meeting

Highlights since March 2025 included:

• Expansion of post-2026 engagement sessions
• A pilot for remand-to-rehab placements in Aberdeen and West Lothian
• Workforce development publications
•  Release of the 2024–2025 MAT Standards Benchmarking Report

Presentation – Safer Drugs Consumption Facilities

Representatives from The Thistle Centre in Glasgow presented on the Safer Drugs Consumption Facility (SDCF), which opened in January 2025.

•  Daily operations from 9am–9pm, offering health, hygiene, and recovery services
•  Staffed by 31 professionals across disciplines
•  Operates under revised prosecution policy; smoking and inhalation are restricted
•  As of May 2025: 306 registered users, 2,461 injecting episodes, 35 medical emergencies
•  Positive feedback from users and community engagement forums

Discussion - Safer Drugs Consumption Facilities
The chair welcomed comments and discussion on the Safer Drugs Consumption Facilities presentation delivered in item 5.

Key points taken from the discussion were:

• SDCF User Engagement & Demographics
•  User engagement and repeat attendance
•  Compassionate care and stigma reduction
•  Evaluation by Glasgow Caledonian University (five work packages)
•  Multi-agency collaboration and lessons learned
•  Importance of dignity and respect
•  Need for cultural shifts and professional education
•  Considerations for service accessibility, operating hours, and potential 24-hour rollout
•  Reflections on how the SDCF model could inform other cities

AOB & Close

The Chair thanked attendees for attending the meeting.

The next meeting is scheduled to take place on Wednesday 17 September 2025 in St Andrew’s House, Edinburgh.

The meeting time and venue may be subject to change to facilitate Ministerial attendance. This will be confirmed in due course.

The proposed focus will be determined at the Steering Board meeting on 03 July 2025.