£3 million funding allocated to Alcohol and Drug Partnerships for immediate action

Clarity on additional funding has been provided by the Scottish Government to Alcohol and Drug Partnerships and Health Boards via a letter from the newly formed Drugs Policy Division.

The letter states that £3 million has been allocated for spend by Alcohol and Drug Partnerships, which is to be focused on increasing residential rehabilitation provision, improving access to treatment and harm reduction services.

The funding is part of a £5 million package that was announced by the First Minister last month to ensure immediate action on improving drugs services before the end of this financial year.

Allocations to each Alcohol and Drug Partnership is based on the number of drug-related deaths recorded in each area in 2019, with a financial breakdown of each area provided.

It is expected that the funding be divided into the three areas of focus as follows:

  • 65% on increasing residential rehabilitation and aftercare
  • 20% on improving access to harm reduction services such as naloxone, heroin-assisted treatment and opiate substitution treatment
  • 15% on improving access to treatment

Further information on specific financial support for grassroots organisations in 2020-21 is to follow shortly alongside further information on additional funding for 2021-22. This will include the performance management arrangements needed for investments in reducing drug deaths and harms.

Click here to view the letter and table of funding allocation