Scottish Government launch next phase of drug response as Tories remain critical

The Scottish Government has announced the next phase of its drug and alcohol response while Scottish Conservatives remain critical of its drug consumption room approach.

The joint Scottish Government and Convention of Scottish Local Authorities (Cosla) plan aims to improve collaboration between government and grassroots delivery.

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.

Drugs and alcohol minister Maree Todd announced the plan at the Haven residential rehabilitation service, which has received £600,000 for eight additional beds.

She 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 coordinated 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.”

But the Scottish Conservatives have said Scotland’s drug death crisis is “our national shame” and criticised the Scottish Government’s approach to consumption rooms.

Tory MSP Annie Wells said: “Scotland’s drug deaths crisis is our national shame under the SNP.

“But, instead of admitting they’ve failed to address this crisis, they’ve doubled down on the same flawed policy of state-sponsored drug-taking.

“If SNP ministers think more drug consumption rooms and handing out free crack pipes is the answer, they’re living on a different planet.

“We are the only party at Holyrood challenging the cosy left-wing consensus and offering a common sense solution to this national emergency.

“That’s why our drugs and alcohol paper released this week would scrap The Thistle, spend the money saved on rehab and recovery places, get people off methadone and reintroduce our Right to Recovery Bill after the election.

“But if we are to have any hope of tackling the drugs deaths crisis, we need to stop an SNP majority at May’s election.

“The best way for voters to do that is by using your peach ballot to vote for the Scottish Conservatives.”

The Scottish Government plan is aimed at preventing initial harm and supporting long-term recovery and wellbeing.

Priorities include strengthening local delivery, supporting the voluntary sector and workforce and improving data, research and evidence.

Cosla health and social Care spokesman 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.”