National Mission on Drugs: annual report

4. Outcome 2: Risk is reduced for people who take harmful drugs

4.1 Overview

People are entitled to support that reduces the harms associated with drug use regardless of where they are on their recovery journey. This includes promoting safer drug consumption practices, preventing overdoses, and reducing risks when they do occur by addressing the harms caused by drug use.

4.2 Progress in 2023-24

4.2.1 National Naloxone Programme

Efforts to maximise the provision and availability of naloxone (medication that can reverse the effects of an opioid overdose), particularly amongst emergency responders, has been a key focus. According to PHS official statistics, published in June 2024, at the end of December 2023, the ‘reach’ of the National Naloxone Programme (percentage of people at risk of opioid overdose who have been supplied with take home naloxone) was estimated to be 74.7%.

Police Scotland completed their naloxone roll out in 2023 with more than 12,500 police officers routinely carrying naloxone. As at June 2024, Police Scotland officers had administered naloxone 408 times since March 2021.

The amendment the Lord Advocate made to prosecution guidelines in 2020 to allow organisations other than alcohol and drug services to provide naloxone during the pandemic has continued to allow additional kits to be distributed with the click and deliver service continuing to prove effective in distributing kits.

Positive conversations have taken place with UK Ministers around forthcoming legislation which we anticipate would replace those guidelines. Additional work is also taking place with Community Pharmacy Scotland where Naloxone kits have been made available in every community pharmacy across the country for use in an emergency.

4.2.2 Safer Drug Consumption Facilities

In September 2023, the Lord Advocate set out her response to the proposal on a Safer Drug Consumption Facility, confirming that it would not be in the public interest to prosecute users of that facility for simple possession offences committed within the confines of the facility. Glasgow HSCP are now progressing work, including essential local community engagement, recruitment and essential building works. This is expected to be completed by the end of August 2024, with the facility then potentially opening September/October 2024.

4.2.3 Drug Checking

The drug checking research project was a two-year programme, funded through the Drug Deaths Taskforce, to explore how best to establish drug checking in Scotland. It was taken forward by Stirling University and completed in May 2023.

Since May 2023, an implementation group has been established to move from the research phase towards actual establishment of these facilities. That group has progressed a range of work to address issues including: transport; development of standing operating procedures for each site; and what actual equipment would be required in each facility.

Both Aberdeen and Dundee submitted their license application to the Home Office at the end of March 2024. Glasgow HSCP submitted their license application in July 2024 and they plan to locate the drug checking facility at the Hunter Street treatment centre where they currently offer their Enhanced Drug Treatment Service (or HAT), and where the Safer Drug Consumption Facility will be placed.

There will also be a National Testing Laboratory, based in Ninewells Hospital in Dundee, which will also provide additional testing capabilities and will further analyse all of the samples received through the other facilities.