First Minister John Swinney is set to call for a new collective approach to tackling drug and alcohol-related deaths as he addresses a national summit in Edinburgh today.
The event, organised by Public Health Scotland, will bring together senior leaders from across the health, justice and local government sectors, alongside third-sector organisations and individuals with lived and living experience of substance use.
It coincides with the launch of a new Alcohol and Drugs Fund, which will invest £36.9 million over the next three years into frontline services supporting prevention, harm reduction, treatment and recovery across Scotland.
The funding will be available to both third-sector organisations and public bodies working directly with people affected by alcohol and drugs, including support for families, children and young people.
Speaking ahead of the summit, Mr Swinney said the multi-year funding model responds directly to calls from the third sector for greater stability.
“This new fund will provide more than £36 million over the next three years, supporting prevention, harm reduction, treatment and recovery,” he said. “It will reach organisations of all sizes – from grassroots groups to larger partnerships – with particular emphasis on improving support for children, young people, and families.
“I have heard from the third sector about the need for stability and longer-term support – this multi-year funding recognises that.”
The First Minister pointed to recent progress, including increased residential rehabilitation capacity, the introduction of new treatment standards and the opening of The Thistle in Glasgow – the UK’s first safer drug consumption facility.
However, he stressed that further change is required.
“It is clear we now require a different collective approach and we need to go further,” he said. “I am determined we make the change and new ways of working needed – and I am focused on confronting the need for reform of how our public services deliver.
“I am clear there should be a ‘no wrong door’ approach. If someone needs help, our system should be easy and quick to navigate – wrapping around the person rather than making people fit into the system.”
The new fund supports the delivery of the Alcohol and Drugs Strategic Plan 2026–35, a joint initiative between the Scottish Government and COSLA. The plan is backed by more than £160 million in 2026–27 and sets out a decade-long strategy to reduce deaths and harms linked to substance use.
Corra Foundation will administer the fund on behalf of the Scottish Government.
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Chief Executive Carolyn Sawers said: “It is a privilege for Corra to deliver this fund on behalf of the Scottish Government. High-quality support for people affected by drugs and alcohol is vital to collective efforts to reducing harms, realising rights and supporting recovery.
“Corra looks forward to working closely alongside people with lived and living experience of drugs and alcohol as we deliver this fund.”
