Drugs Policy Minister Angela Constance has expanded on the government’s commitment to tackling the drugs deaths crisis in Scotland, announcing the appointment of former chief constable and chief inspector of policing David Strang as Chair of the Oversight Group.

David Strang is set to chair the National Drugs Mission Oversight Group established this year to improve and scrutinise policy and practice development as part of the Scottish government’s wider mission to reduce drugs deaths.

With the group’s second meeting next month, Ms Constance announced that Mr Strang would undertake the role in a parliamentary chamber meeting. Here, she also restated the government’s commitment to action on the crisis:

“The government will lead by example, developing a cross-government programme of work to support that change. That work focuses on three challenges: ensuring more holistic support; prioritising prevention and early intervention; and tackling stigma.

“I am very pleased to say that Mr Strang has agreed to take on being the independent chair of the oversight group.”

She said that to improve accountability on the mission to reduce drug deaths, the oversight group under Mr Strang will “provide scrutiny, challenge and expert advice” to the government and wider sectors as services are adapted. As part of this, a co-ordinated approach will be taken, encompassing a range of government portfolios from primary care and mental health to education, justice and housing.

Mr Strang, the previous head for the Drugs Deaths Taskforce (DDTF), was formerly a senior police officer and chief inspector of prisons.

With the DDTF’s final report publication – containing 20 recommendations and 139 action points – Mr Strang said empathy and treatment is needed for addiction, “not stigmatisation, discrimination and criminalisation”.

As she introduced Mr Strang’s new role, Ms Constance accepted the taskforce’s report and committed to following its recommendations:

“It is comprehensive, critical and challenging; I asked for a bold blueprint for action and I welcome it.

“The task force asked that we publish an action plan within six months, setting out how we will deliver its recommendations.”

She also highlighted the commitment outlined in the new programme for government to publish an anti-stigma plan which “sets out the role we can all play in ending the exclusion” faced by people who use drugs.

With Mr Strang’s appointment and an £100 million dedicated to expanding access to residential rehabilitation placements by 300%, progress is expected to exceed 2021’s “unacceptable” 1% decrease in deaths.

As well as expanding naloxone programmes and implementation of medication-assisted treatment (MAT) standards, the programme for government states it will publish a cross-government action plan on tackling inequalities experienced by people who use drugs.

Police Scotland began the national roll-out of a “naloxone carriage programme” in August while Edinburgh’s biggest taxi company has been training staff to safely administer naloxone since May.

The Drugs Policy Minister announced the appointment of Mr Strang as chair to the oversight group by saying he would bring “his skills, knowledge and leadership to the oversight of the national mission”.

While some ministers called for there to be fewer plans and working groups, and more “action on the ground,” Paul Sweeney MSP asked that Ms Constance consider a completely independent oversight body.

With preliminary results from the consultation on Drug Death Prevention (Scotland) Bill to establish overdose prevention rooms, he addressed the chamber meeting on Thursday 8^th September:

“The consultation closed at midnight last night, and around 85 per cent of respondents believe that an oversight body must be entirely independent of government to be effective.

“Sadly, that is not the case with the new national mission oversight group which appears to be a continuation of the task force, rather than anything else.”

Ms Constance assured parliament that the oversight group “is not a replacement” for the DDTF which has now completed its work, and recommendations set to be delivered on. She said she will continue to update on anti-stigma efforts, increased workforce and MAT standards in the coming months:

“The government will redouble its commitment to the national mission on drugs, the principles of which will guide us through the emergency.”

With a workforce action plan being developed to deliver a sustainable and skilled workforce, she has committed to inform on progress by November.

Read more: MSPs to revisit Scotland's health gap; Charity calls for zero drug deaths; Oversight group for drug action

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