Joint long-term strategic plan launched.
A new plan to reduce deaths and harms caused by alcohol and drugs
has been published.
The joint Scottish Government and COSLA plan aims to improve
collaboration between government and grassroots delivery with a
locally-led, accountable system, guided by clear national
direction and support.
Backed by more than £160 million in 2026-27, the plan builds on
the Scottish Government's five-year National Mission on Drugs
which ends in April.
A key priority is to expand treatment standards to include
alcohol and all drugs. It has a renewed focus on prevention, with
specific measures to stop people from
developing problem alcohol and drug use. It also maintains
support for residential rehabilitation with a focus on improving
pathways through detox, crisis care and stabilisation.
The plan is underpinned by a human-rights based approach. This
ensures that people with first-hand experience help shape the
design and delivery of services and receive person-centred
support
Speaking at the Haven residential rehabilitation service, which
has received £600,000 for eight additional beds, Drugs and
Alcohol Policy Minister said:
"The last five years have seen record investment in alcohol and
drugs services, with significant progress, but we want to do
more. This plan marks the next phase in our response to tackling
alcohol and drug harms.
"We are already widening access to treatment, residential
rehabilitation and life-saving naloxone, and Glasgow hosts the
UK's first Safer Drug Consumption Facility. As we respond to new
challenges – including an increasingly toxic drugs supply – this
plan refocuses our efforts in a more co-ordinated and sustainable
way.
"As a joint Scottish Government and COSLA initiative, this plan
will strengthen national and local partnership working so that
people can receive the right help when and where they need it."
The plan is aimed at preventing initial harm and supporting
long-term recovery and wellbeing and focuses on four
interconnected areas:
· prevention and early
intervention
· harm reduction
· treatment and care
· the wider circle of
support.
Priorities include strengthening local delivery, supporting the
voluntary sector and workforce and improving data, research and
evidence.
COSLA Health and Social Care spokesperson Councillor Paul Kelly
said:
“Far too many individuals and families continue to be affected by
drugs and alcohol harms. We need to do everything we can to
support people, which requires us to work across spheres of
government.
“Bringing local and national government together for the first
time in this way represents a step change in how we plan and
deliver support for people affected by drugs and alcohol.
“Local government works closely with our communities, across a
range of preventative services, and has strong local knowledge of
the challenges our communities face.
“No single service can respond to the ongoing challenge of drugs
and alcohol harms. It is only by working in partnership,
investing sustainably in vital supports and through the
co-ordinated efforts of the whole system, that we prevent issues
before they arise and support people to sustain recovery.”
The Haven Chief Executive Gary Lister said:
“Through its holistic, recovery-focused programme, The Haven
supports individuals to rebuild their lives, restore family
relationships and move towards long-term recovery. The Scottish
Government's support for the current expansion of the facility —
including eight additional residential beds and enhanced living
spaces — will help ensure more people can access the safe,
structured support they need to begin that journey.”
Background
Preventing Harm, Promoting
Recovery: Scotland's Alcohol & Drugs Strategic Plan 2026 –
2035
The plan has been informed by significant engagement, including
people and families with lived and living experience of alcohol
and drug harms, service providers and commissioners, academics,
clinicians and voluntary sector representatives.
This plan is a key component of the Scottish Government and
COSLA's broader public health ambitions:
- The Population Health
Framework which seeks to address the wider determinants of
health, increase life expectancy and reduce inequalities; and
- The Health and Social Care Service
Renewal Framework which guides the transformation of health
and social care services towards being more person-centred and
community-based, and to harness digital technologies to improve
access, efficiency, and outcomes.
National Mission achievements: Preventing Harm, Promoting
Recovery: Scotland's Alcohol & Drugs Strategic Plan
