Congratulations to Maree Todd MSP on her ministerial appointment from the team at Scottish Drugs Forum. We hope this continuity in the drug and alcohol brief will allow us to quickly resume positive discussions around the need to expand harm reduction and delivering the changes needed to save lives.
However, we are concerned that the role has expanded to include mental wellbeing and public health, alongside drugs, alcohol and sport. While most of these areas are closely connected and will benefit from a more joined-up approach, each requires adequate attention.
As we work to prevent drug-related deaths, we need dedicated leadership alongside long-term, secure investment that enables planning, stability and innovation. We hope the expanded brief is not a sign that the scale and urgency of the challenge facing Scotland has been deprioritised.