Alcohol and drugs strategic plan: equality impact assessment summary

Methodology

• A framing exercise was carried out to inform the EqIA for the Plan. Policy teams across thematic workstreams reviewed potential equality impacts, drawing on existing evidence, professional insight, and early engagement findings. The exercise focused on identifying affected groups, potential barriers to equitable outcomes, and areas where further evidence or analysis was required.
• Data gathering was undertaken by Scottish Government health and social care analysts, which included the review of existing qualitative and quantitative data, based on national surveys and statistics publications and a high-level review of relevant academic and grey literature.
• This process was supported by wider engagement for the Plan undertaken in 2025, which included over 30 consultation events with clinicians, academics, ADPs, third‑sector organisations, and people with lived and living experience.
• Based on the collated evidence and feedback, a high-level assessment of the Plan was undertaken to identify potential areas of inequality and opportunities to promote equality.
• Where possible, key findings relating to equalities groups were fed back into the development of the priorities and commitments in the Plan. Identified areas of concern that are beyond the scope of the Plan will be fed into planning for implementation and delivery.