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

Achievements

The last five years have seen record investment in alcohol and drugs services, which has led to a number of notable achievements. We recognise that significant challenges remain and are committed to sustaining momentum and building on best practice.

Voices of Lived Experience

In 2024, 7 in 10 respondents to the PHS Lived Experience Survey felt the support they were receiving from services now was better than two years prior.^[1]

Pathways to support

All local areas now have documented pathways in place for people who have experienced a near-fatal overdose.^[2]

Rights & Empowerment

Charter of Rights for People Affected by Substance Use launched by the National Collaborative.

Tackling Alcohol Harm

Minimum Unit Pricing has reduced deaths directly caused by alcohol by an estimated 13% and hospital admissions by an estimated 4%, with greatest impact in the most deprived areas during the period evaluated.^[3]

Improving Treatment

Development and high levels of implementation of Medication Assisted Treatment Standards, enabling the consistent delivery of high-quality drug treatment.^[4]

Saving Lives with Naloxone

Estimated that 8 in 10 people at risk of opioid overdose have now been supplied with a naloxone kit.^[5] Naloxone carriage is now standard practice for all frontline police officers.

Safer Drug Consumption Facility

Supported the opening of the first Safer Drug Consumption Facility in Glasgow, which provides a safe, supervised environment for people who inject drugs.

Increased Residential Rehabilitation

On track to reach 1,000 publicly funded residential rehabilitation placements per year.^[6]

Prevention Activity

Planet Youth operational in six local authorities in Scotland – empowering communities to support young people to reduce the risk of substance use and harms.

Workforce

Launched the Knowledge and Skills Framework and Learning Directory to strengthen workforce capability, and developed Guiding Principles and Employability Support Toolkits to assist people with lived experience into and throughout employment.

Families

Developed the Families Framework to support the role of families in a loved one’s recovery and accessing support in their own right.

Surveillance

Introduced the RADAR early warning system designed to provide alerts for new and emerging drug threats such as dangerous new synthetic opiates.