Local partnerships on alcohol and drugs: framework

The environment in which drugs and alcohol services operate has changed considerably over recent years. In the last year, the Scottish Government has published its recovery focussed drugs strategy and a new framework to tackle alcohol misuse. The advent of Single Outcome Agreements has meant that public bodies are more focussed on outcomes - on knowing the difference they are making to people's lives rather than concentrating on numbers and processes. Services and service commissioners now recognise that the needs of service users and their families are paramount, and that maximum impact must be secured for the investment of resources. We all need to adapt and change to respond to these challenges if we are to help transform lives and communities across Scotland.

But to make the lasting change that Scotland needs and that individuals deserve we must be committed to working together and to share the joint vision of a healthier, safer, fairer and more successful Scotland. Only through partnership working can we make long-term changes which deliver real benefits for service users.

This framework reflects our shared determination to do so and provides a template to guide local partnerships in their work. We, and the organisations we represent, are committed to the principles it contains and will fully participate in delivering these for the benefit of individuals, for families, for communities and for the whole of Scotland.