National Mission Oversight Group minutes: March 2025

Attendees and apologies

• David Strang, NMOG Chair
• Andy McAuley Glasgow Caledonian University
• Sally Amor, Lived and living experience representative
• Justina Murray, CEO of Scottish Families Affected by Alcohol and Drugs
• Susana Galea-Singer, Royal College of Psychiatrists
• Kirsten Horsburgh, CEO of Scottish Drugs Forum
• Laura Wilson, Royal Pharmaceutical Society
• Lorraine McGrath, CEO Simon Community
• Steph McCutcheon, Lived and living experience representative
• Tracey McFall, Scottish Recovery Consortium
• Gordon McKeand, Police Scotland
• Harriet Purbrick, COSLA 
• Louise Stewart, We Are with You 

Also attended

• Laura Zeballos, Scottish Government
• Maggie Page, Scottish Government
• Alison Crocket (online attendee), Scottish Government
• Chloe Poole, Scottish Government
• Alice Burling - Brown, Scottish Government
• Stuart Henderson, Scottish Government
• Geri Metivier,  Scottish Government
• Lauren Ross, Scottish Government

Apologies

• Ms McKelvie, Minister for Drugs and Alcohol Policy
• Valerie White, Public Health Scotland
• Hannah Carver, Stirling University
• Sandra Holmes, Lived and living experience representative
• Paul Johnston, Public Health Scotland
• Billy Watson, Scottish Association for Mental Health
• Eddie Follan, COSLA
• Joanne McEwan, Police Scotland
• Emma Crawshaw, CREW2000
• Iain Smith,  Keegan Smith Law

Secretariat

• Paul Sutherland, Scottish Government

Items and actions

Welcome and board governance

The Chair welcomed members and attendees to the twelfth meeting of the National Mission Oversight Group (NMOG). Deputies in attendance were welcomed and introduced to the group.

The absence of the Minister was noted, with hopes for attendance at the June meeting. The purpose of the NMOG was reiterated as providing challenge, scrutiny, and advice to the National Mission, encouraging participation from all.

The Chair informed the meeting was focused on three key areas: the Scottish Government's post-2026 National Mission preparations, how the Scottish Government has considered the experiences of individuals with lived and living experience, and current workforce development efforts.

The minutes of the previous meeting on 12 December 2024 were approved, and the summary minute was noted as being published online. A tribute to a members colleagues deceased son was shared at the beginning of the meeting as a reminder of the importance of the group's work.

SG update since last meeting 

An update from the Scottish Government highlighted achievements since the September 2024 NMOG meeting, including. 

• January saw the opening of the Thistle safer drug consumption facility in Glasgow.
• The MAT Statement to the Parliament was completed on the 6th February 2025 by the Cabinet Secretary.
• The Cabinet Secretary attended Cross-Committee to discuss the findings of the People Panel report on 20 February and following debate on 6 March. 
• Meeting One of the Delivery Board took place on 4 March 2025.
• Public Health Scotland (PHS) published a report in December 2024 that shows that in 2022/23 1,670 individuals were recorded as having started a residential rehabilitation placement in Scotland.

The opening of the first national residential rehabilitation service in the North East (Rae House) was also noted, alongside recently published Naloxone statistics indicating a high reach of the National Naloxone Programme.
 
The group was also informed of the latest suspected drug death figures for October to December 2024, showing a decrease compared to the previous year but remaining at a high level, with a recent spike in non-fatal overdoses also highlighted.

An update was provided on the National Problem Assessment Group's response to recent spikes in non-fatal overdoses and drug-related deaths in several NHS regions.

Discussion 

Members discussed anecdotal information suggesting a dilution of the commitment to Naloxone, which was countered by data indicating increasing use. 

Concerns were raised about potentially stigmatising language in the upcoming National Records of Scotland report on drug deaths, with the group agreeing to consider writing to NRS to request a review of the language used.

Presentation - National Mission - Post-2026 planning  

Alice Burling – Brown (Post 2026 National Mission Planning, Scottish Government Lead) delivered a presentation on post-2026 National Mission planning outlined that planning builds on existing reports and evaluations and Scotland's strong data landscape. The consultation approach will involve existing working groups, dedicated stakeholder events, and Alcohol and Drug Partnerships (ADPs)..

Discussion - National Mission - Post-2026 planning  

The chair welcomed comments and discussion on the presentation on post-2026 National Mission planning.

Discussion points included ensuring a long-term approach while acknowledging the ongoing emergency, reconciling policy with lived experiences, the effectiveness of the ADP structure, the ambitious timeline for agreement, the importance of learning from past initiatives, the need for meaningful consultation, and the importance of systemic change.

Suggestions were made for a different meeting format to facilitate better discussion on this topic and for a review of the current ADP arrangements. 

Presentation - Lived and Living Experience

A presentation on lived and living experience (LLE) highlighted its importance in policy making. Case studies of LLE involvement in the Drug Death Task Force/MAT Standards Implementation Process and the Charter of Rights were shared, along with examples of delivery involving LLE collaboration.

A further presentation on the findings of the Recovery Communities Research Report highlighted the active development of Recovery Communities and Live Experience Recovery Organisations (LEROs) across Scotland, but noted significant variability and inconsistent funding, posing a risk to their sustainability post-2026.

The critical role and "unseen workforce" nature of these organisations were emphasised, along with the need for increased recognition and value and a recommitment to the recovery agenda.

Presentation on SRC Recovery Communities Research Report

A further presentation on the findings of the Recovery Communities Research Report highlighted the active development of Recovery Communities and Live Experience Recovery Organisations (LEROs) across Scotland, but noted significant variability and inconsistent funding, posing a risk to their sustainability post-2026.

The critical role and "unseen workforce" nature of these organisations were emphasised, along with the need for increased recognition and value and a recommitment to the recovery agenda.

Discussion –- Lived and Living Experience

The chair welcomed comments and discussion on the Lived and Living Experience presentations delivered in the last 2 items.

The discussion on LLE presentations covered concerns about the impact of the National Collaboration without the Human Rights Act, the positive structure of the Corra LLE funding panel, and differing experiences of engaging with LLE. The potential for MAT standards wording to be triggering for LLE, the importance of informal LLE intelligence, and the need to address rural challenges were also discussed.

Presentation on Workforce Development

Stuart Henderson, Lead of the Workforce Team in the Scottish Government delivered a presentation on Workforce Development outlined four forthcoming publications to support employees and employers: a Knowledge and Skills Framework, a Workforce Learning Directory, Guiding Principles, and Employability Toolkits.

The consultation process and the six Guiding Principles were introduced. It was confirmed that these resources would be free for employers. Launch and implementation plans were discussed, with feedback invited on effective promotion strategies.

Discussion: Workforce Development

The chair welcomed comments and discussion on the Workforce presentation.

The discussion on Workforce Development praised the guiding principles and the positive response received during consultation. Suggestions included integrating the products with NES for wider availability, engaging with relevant organisations for promotion, and involving the Royal College of Psychiatrists. The need for continuous promotion and a mechanism for measuring the implementation of the guidance was emphasised.

AOB and close

The Chair thanked attendees for attending the meeting.

The next meeting is scheduled to take place on Thursday 19 June 2025 in St Andrew’s House, Edinburgh. The proposed focus will now be determined at the Steering Group meeting on 03 April 2025.