Faced with a requirement to make significant savings, Glasgow Health and Social Care Partnership is proposing to redesign two specialist drug services – the Enhanced Drug Treatment Service and Complex Needs Service – and replace them with a combined service.
The proposals will be considered by Glasgow City Integration Joint Board (IJB) on Wednesday 23 September 2026 – the same day that the National Records of Scotland will publish Scotland’s annual drug-related death statistics.
This comes following the announcement of changes to the management of the Glasgow-based Stabilisation Service and Crisis Centre, vital services that have been delivered by Turning Point Scotland for 30 years.
Kirsten Horsburgh, Chief Executive Officer at Scottish Drugs Forum, says:
“We have serious concerns about proposals to redesign two specialist drug support services in Glasgow.
“The Enhanced Drug Treatment Service and Complex Needs Service were established specifically for people with severe and long-standing drug problems, and other complex needs. They provide specialist drug treatment alongside support for physical health, mental health and wider social circumstances.
“Without dedicated services like these, there will be fewer options for intensive support for people at real risk of drug-related harm – and a significant gap in provision for people who cannot access or engage with mainstream services.
“The timing for the decision about the future of these services is stark. On the same day, National Records of Scotland will publish its annual report on drug-related deaths, which is expected to show a further increase in the number of people losing their lives.
“Scotland first described drug-related deaths as a ‘public health emergency’ in 2019, and this language was used again just a few weeks ago in the Programme for Government. But an emergency situation demands an emergency response – which means increasing capacity to reach, engage and support people at greatest risk. Instead, the IJB will on Wednesday discuss removing vital support.
“At a time when the drug supply is becoming increasingly unpredictable and services are trying to reach people with multiple and overlapping needs, we should be asking what more is required to keep people alive and support them to improve their health and quality of life.
“Glasgow – and all of Scotland – needs a strong range of accessible, flexible and specialist services capable of meeting people where they are. We should be scaling up our emergency response, not scaling it down.”