Seòmar agus comataidhean

As Mr Sweeney will understand, that is a matter for the health and social care partnership to consider. We already have a pretty lengthy opening period. I recognise his concern about what happens between 9 pm and 9 am, but this is a pilot and a test of change. It is an area for us to test and learn from. I fully anticipate that the health and social care partnership will look at whether availability could be increased, depending on what the demand looks like, but he will understand that that is a matter for the health and social care partnership to consider.

It is clear that we have work to do to build on the foundations that have been put in place by the national mission. We are looking to provide systematic change in the availability of services and the types of interventions that we make. As has been demonstrated today through the lines of questioning, the Government is supporting a variety of interventions, from the implementation of the MAT standards to safer consumption facilities, and from drug-testing facilities to residential rehab. There is a broad range of interventions at play, and those take time to build up.

I recognise that there might be a feeling or a perception that there is a disconnect, but I believe that we are making progress. I say that because of the interactions that I have had with families, who say that progress is being made.

We have more work to do—that is clear, and the perception that Ms Dowey narrated demonstrates that. We need to ensure that we deliver demonstrable change that is felt at a local level and by individuals and their families. That is certainly what our collective effort is geared towards across the Government, in partnership with local authorities, health and social care partnerships and alcohol drug partnerships, with those in the community and voluntary sector who are involved in this area, and with families and advocacy organisations.

I would be happy to provide that, convener.

Ms Dowey touches on an important issue, which is the focus that is required. The Audit Scotland report recognises the national leadership and our consistency in setting out what we expect; it also recognises that there is more work to be done to provide that consistency at a local level.

I spoke earlier about the foundations that have been put in place through the national mission. Our work now is about building on that and ensuring that we are able to provide consistency.

We have provided record levels of funding to alcohol and drug partnerships, with £112 million this year; around £50 million in recurring funding; and the national mission funding. We want to ensure that there is consistency in that regard, but I also recognise the local decision making at ADP level. We will bring forward further recommendations on providing consistent standards—I will bring in Richard Foggo to provide greater clarity on that point.

Absolutely, convener. You have hit on an incredibly important area, particularly for the community and voluntary sector. As a Government, we would appreciate a greater line of sight on what budgets will look like, which would help us with our aspirations to provide multiyear funding settlements. We recognise that those who deliver statutory services would also benefit from that.

We are making some progress in that space. The funding that we provide to the Corra Foundation is an example of that. That is the route through which we are providing support for community and voluntary organisations to develop their services. I will bring in Maggie Page to develop that point.

Thank you very much, convener, and good morning, colleagues. I really appreciate the opportunity to answer your questions today.

I want to begin by wishing Christina McKelvie all the very best in her treatment. We look forward to her return as Minister for Drugs and Alcohol Policy.

We launched the national mission to reduce drug-related deaths in 2021. Since then, the Scottish Government and our partners have worked tirelessly to bring innovative, structural change to that complex emergency, and we remain fully committed to reducing drug deaths and harms. Backed by £2 million of investment from the Scottish Government, a safer drug consumption facility, the first in the United Kingdom, will open soon in Glasgow. That landmark evidence-based service, which was co-designed with local people using substances, will help protect those who are most vulnerable from overdose and reduce harm.

It is, however, just one of the programmes of work that we have been taking forward. I would like to use this opportunity to outline the wider action that we are taking to reduce harm and to improve the lives of people and communities that are impacted by drugs and alcohol.

On 31 October, Audit Scotland published a report on drug and alcohol services, which acknowledged that we have “improved national leadership” and have made significant progress in tackling Scotland’s long-standing issues with drugs and alcohol, notably through significant investment and innovative action in our national mission. That action includes widening access to life-saving Naloxone, expanding treatment capacity and increasing access to residential rehabilitation.

However, despite all the progress, there is more to be done. The report specifically draws attention to work on local accountability, so we are stepping up our work with local leaders to strengthen accountability against national and local outcomes. It also highlighted the need for a “whole-systems approach” and “more preventative” action, and I assure colleagues of the Government’s commitment in that area.

Our response to the Scottish Drug Deaths Taskforce’s recommendations has delivered progress, for example, the publication this September of the mental health and substance use protocol and our work to implement the “Drugs and Alcohol Workforce Action Plan 2023-2026”, which was published in December 2023. Our whole-systems approach to prevention aligns with our wider vision for health and social care—that of a Scotland where people, including those with drug and alcohol dependencies, live longer, healthier and fulfilling lives.

There is, however, clearly still more to be done. The first years of the national mission were about laying the foundations; we are now committed to building on those foundations while responding to new threats and challenges, such as the emergence of novel, stronger synthetic drugs, which pose increased risks to our communities.

Scotland’s drug and alcohol deaths remain too high—I am absolutely clear on that point. Each death is a tragedy—a life lost too soon—and it will be felt dearest by the families concerned. However, we are driven by a steadfast belief in the necessity and possibility of change, and we remain fully committed to delivering on our commitments.

I look forward to the opportunity to provide fuller updates during the meeting.

Again, I will bring in Maggie Page to develop the point.

Mr Doris touches on an important consideration. I am not familiar with the specifics, but I do not think that the Government holds data on that area, and whether individual ADPs or health and social care partnerships hold it is a question to be answered.

In response to that line of inquiry, however, I absolutely see merit in looking at whether we could take this matter forward and develop it further to ensure transparency around not only availability, but clinical decision making. I will bring in Maggie Page, as she might be able to provide greater detail on that.

We are considering the recommendations carefully. There is a lot in the report that demonstrates the progress that we have made already. Some of the recommendations, such as strengthening local leadership and providing greater transparency, are areas in which we are already developing work. We welcome the report, and we are still considering our direct response to each individual recommendation, as the report was published only on 31 October.

We take seriously all the commentary that comes from Audit Scotland in general and in this area in particular. We will consider all the recommendations carefully and respond in due course.

I will get Maggie Page to provide the exact number. The most recent increase that we gave to funding residential rehab was £38 million, providing an increase of 140 beds. Public Health Scotland has estimated that, in the most recent period for which we have data available, 938 people have been publicly funded to go through residential rehab. We can say with confidence that we are on track to meet the commitment that 1,000 publicly funded spaces a year will be available.

That is an important aspect of the wider commitment that we are making, because there is no single route by which people can achieve recovery. As Ms Wells will testify, there will be different circumstances at play for every person who has a drug or alcohol dependency. It is therefore important that we take a person-centred approach. We need to provide a balance and make available a range of harm reduction and treatment, so that we can give people the opportunity to find a way to recover at a pace that suits them. That includes the Corra Foundation support that we are providing.

Maggie Page will be able to provide you with the exact numbers of what we have.

Alongside my other updates, I will be happy to provide that information, if there is anything further on which to update the committee.