A National Mission for Change: Putting People, Evidence and Rights at the Heart of Scotland’s Drug Policy  

In January 2021, the former First Minister announced a new National Mission to reduce drug-related deaths, acknowledging that responsibility for Scotland's tragic and preventable loss of life "rests - first and foremost - with government". Since then, Scotland has taken important steps forward, introducing innovative and increasingly evidence-led approaches. But, despite the ambition behind the National Mission, more than 4,500 people have lost their lives to drugs since 2021 - leaving behind devastated families, grieving communities and a country still struggling to confront a decades-long public health crisis. As we approach the next Scottish Parliament elections, the message is clear: we cannot become complacent, and we cannot slow down. The next parliamentary term will bring a significant number of new MSPs - and with that comes a rare and meaningful opportunity to reinforce and accelerate Scotland's shift toward compassionate, evidence-based and rights-led policy, ensuring that people with living and lived experience genuinely shape decisions at every level. We call on all political parties to seize that opportunity. Show courage. Follow the evidence. Refuse to accept preventable deaths as inevitable. And work collaboratively - across government portfolios, with the third sector and alongside the people most affected - to deliver the bold, sustained, transformational change that Scotland urgently needs.