Young men being failed by drug, alcohol and suicide policies, report says

Young men are being failed by policy and support systems surrounding drugs, alcohol and suicide, according to a new report.

The 2025 Inequality Landscape report by the Scottish Health Equity Research Unit (SHERU), says the problem will “only grow” unless there is stronger national action.

SHERU is a collaboration between the University of Strathclyde’s centre for health policy and the Fraser of Allander Institute.

It found that too many men are dying prematurely from drugs, alcohol and suicide and warns that help is arriving too late for men at risk, particularly those aged 18-44.

Published as the first in a two-part analysis of Scotland’s inequality landscape, the study says deaths from drugs, alcohol and suicide are suffering due to a policy blind spot.

Scotland’s most deprived areas were more affected than their better-off counterparts, which researchers say contributes to a life expectancy gap of more than 13 years between men from the most and least deprived areas.

The report says Scotland has the ambition and skills to reduce the number of such preventable deaths, but called for stronger leadership, better data and more cohesive governmental decisions.

Emma Congreve, deputy director of the Fraser of Allander Institute and co-lead of SHERU, said: “Our analysis has shown that at-risk men often face multiple, overlapping challenges – from homelessness and imprisonment to poor-quality work, health crises, and social isolation.

“Strategies on drugs, alcohol and suicide talk about cross-government action, but men are still not given enough priority in wider policies on poverty, employment or housing.”

The report found that while focusing on average outcomes it appears that men in Scotland are doing relatively well but this “obscures a subset of young adult men facing multiple socio-economic challenges who are at high risk of early, preventable deaths”.

It noted that in 2023, 70% of the people who died from drugs, alcohol, and suicide were male.

David Finch, assistant director at the Health Foundation, which funded the research, added: “Too many young men in Scotland are caught in cycles of insecure work, poor health, and social isolation.

“Without stronger national action, the risks of poverty, marginalisation and premature death will only grow. Scotland has the opportunity to learn from international best practice, strengthen prevention, and build a more resilient future.”

Kat Smith, SHERU co-lead and professor of public health policy at Strathclyde, said: “These examples show that it is possible to reduce deaths from drugs, alcohol and suicide, where insights in local communities are combined with sustainable funding, high quality data and strong accountability measures at the national level.”

A Scottish Government spokesperson said: “Every preventable death is a tragedy and our heartfelt sympathies go out to all those affected. Our aim is for anyone at risk or affected by suicide to get the help they need.

“We are encouraged by positive trends – drug deaths are down 13% whilst probable suicides have declined by 11%, both at their lowest level since 2017. However, we will not be complacent.

“Our national mission on drugs, suicide prevention strategy and population health framework address underlying inequalities and support those most at risk – including people affected by substance use, poverty and men facing particular challenges.”