A new plan to reduce deaths and harms caused by alcohol and drugs in Scotland has been published by the Scottish Government and COSLA.

The 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 £160m in 2026-27, the plan builds on the Scottish Government's five-year National Mission on Drugs which ends in April.

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.

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.

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

Drugs and alcohol policy minister, Maree Todd, 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.'

COSLA health and social care spokesperson, Councillor Paul Kelly, added: '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 coordinated efforts of the whole system, that we prevent issues before they arise and support people to sustain recovery.'

Liz Wells is deputy editor of Hemming Group’s Healthcare Management magazine.