Preventing Harm, Promoting Recovery: Scotland's Alcohol & Drugs Strategic Plan 2026 – 2035

Vision & Aims

Our overall vision for health and social care is “a Scotland where people live longer, healthier and more fulfilling lives”. This applies equally to people affected by alcohol and drugs. Building on this vision, the core aims of this Alcohol & Drugs Strategic Plan are to: prevent harm, promote recovery and save lives.

To achieve these, delivery of our plan will be underpinned by:

• A human rights-based approach, ensuring that the voices of people with lived and living experience shape the design and delivery of services, and that people receive person-centred care and support;
• A locally-led, responsive and sustainable system that is accountable and works effectively in partnership, guided where appropriate by clear national direction and support.

The Plan focuses on four interconnected areas:

• prevention and early intervention;
• harm reduction;
• treatment and care; and
• the wider circle of support.

These areas reflect key points of intervention across the continuum of a recovery orientated system of care, from preventing initial harm to supporting long-term recovery and wellbeing. This approach recognises that recovery is a deeply personal process that looks different for everyone, but is grounded in people having agency and support to improve their health and wellbeing.

The Plan provides a strategic framework to drive progress toward long-term outcomes across these areas. It sets out our priorities and a series of shortterm commitments that we, along with partners, will actively pursue over the next three years. An overview of the outcomes, priorities and commitments can be found in Annexes A and B.

To ensure the Plan remains responsive and relevant, the commitments will be reviewed and updated on a rolling threeyear basis, reflecting progress, emerging evidence, and changing circumstances.