Thematic inspection of police response to drug harm reduction

5. In 2018, the Scottish Government launched Rights, Respect and Recovery, a national strategy aimed at improving health outcomes by preventing and reducing alcohol and drug use, associated harms and related deaths. This strategy integrated prevention, treatment and recovery efforts under a single framework, promoting person-centred care, reducing stigma and improving access to services. It also emphasised the importance of community involvement and cross-sector collaboration to drive meaningful and sustainable change.

6. Building on this foundation, the Scottish Government introduced the National Mission on Drugs in 2021 (the national mission) to intensify the response to Scotland’s escalating drug death crisis. The national mission, built on public health principles, is well-researched, evidence-based and trauma-informed. It has successfully brought together partners through forums and committees.

7. While previous strategies established a public health and human rights-based approach, the national mission sought to accelerate action, increase accountability, and save lives. Although many of the national mission’s strategies require co-ordinated efforts from the Scottish Government, NHS, local authorities and third sector organisations, it is clear that policing also plays a vital role in addressing drug-related harm.

8. The National Mission on Drug Deaths: Plan 2022-26, was introduced following the launch of the national mission. It was shaped by input from people with lived experience, ensuring that harm reduction efforts were relevant. The plan aims to ensure that Scotland’s approach to reducing drug use death is well organised, transparent and inclusive. Its outcomes, developed in collaboration with stakeholders, focus on reducing harm and improving lives. They include the following:

• fewer people develop problem drug use
• risk is reduced for people who take harmful drugs
• people at most risk have access to treatment and recovery
• people receive high-quality treatment and recovery services
• quality of life is improved by addressing multiple disadvantages
• children, families and communities affected by substance use are supported.

9. Such outcomes reflect both the complexity of the challenge, as well as the opportunity for a whole-system, whole-Scotland approach under the banner of the national mission. However – despite recent increased investment and a sharper focus on harm reduction – Scotland continues to record one of the highest drug death rates in the developed world, with drug use deaths recognised as a major contributor to the country’s declining life expectancy.

10. To understand the scale of the crisis, it is important to consider how drug use deaths are defined and recorded in Scotland, and the wider UK. In 2000, the Advisory Council on the Misuse of Drugs (ACMD) called for a UK-wide group to standardise how these deaths were/are reported. The National Records of Scotland (NRS) was part of this group, which agreed a standard definition for drug use deaths:

“A death where the underlying cause is poisoning, drug abuse, or drug dependence, and where any of the substances involved are controlled under the Misuse of Drugs Act 1971.”

11. This definition is considered the most appropriate for monitoring drug use deaths in Scotland, as it aims to ensure consistency with other UK statistics and focuses on deaths directly attributable to the use of controlled drugs. However, we note that the NRS recently sought feedback on the terminology used to record drugs deaths due to potentially stigmatising language.

12. Drug use deaths in Scotland have increased markedly over the past two decades, with a total of 12,025 recorded between 2013 and 2024. The annual number increased consistently from 2014, peaking at 1,339 in 2020, the highest on record. Since then, the overall trend has been downward, with a notable 21% reduction between 2021 and 2022, followed by a 12% increase in 2023 (1,172 deaths).

13. In 2024, 1,017 drug use deaths were registered in Scotland – the lowest annual total since 2017 – and a 13% decrease (155 deaths) compared with 2023. After adjusting for age, the drug use death rate in 2024 was 19.1 per 100,000 people, which is more than three and a half times higher than in 2000, when comparable records began (NRS 2024). However, during the first six months of 2025, there were 607 suspected drug deaths, an increase of 3% (18 deaths) compared with the same period in 2024 (National Mission on Drugs Annual Report 2024/2025). While not official statistics, this management information from Police Scotland provides an indication of recent trends in suspected drug deaths in Scotland.

Figure 1: Yearly number of drug use deaths

14. The following table outlines regional variations contributing to the national figures.

Figure 2: Number of drug use deaths in Scotland by area (2023 and 2024)

15. As can be seen from the above, while some areas including Greater Glasgow, North Ayrshire, East Ayrshire, North Lanarkshire, Aberdeen and Edinburgh have seen a noteworthy reduction in drug use deaths in the past year, others have faced stubbornly high levels. That said, we would not suggest that this has been as a result of a lack of prioritisation given to the issue, nor the efforts of organisations, agencies and individuals working to reduce drug-related harms in these areas.

16. According to the NRS, the majority of drug use deaths in Scotland in 2024 occurred among people aged 35 to 54, accounting for 63% of all cases. This was followed by those aged under 35 (19%). In contrast, in 2000, the pattern was reversed: 68% of drug use deaths were among those under 35, while 29% were aged 35 to 54. The proportion of deaths among those aged 55 and over has also increased significantly, from just 3% in 2000 to 17% in 2024.

17. Over the past decade, funding for alcohol and drug services in Scotland has more than doubled, rising from £70.5 million in 2014/15 to £161.6 million in 2023/24. This includes £63 million allocated through the national mission in 2023/24 (Audit Scotland 2024). Despite this increase, the impact on the level of drug use deaths has been limited, and funding arrangements remain complex and fragmented, making strategic planning and monitoring difficult. ADPs have experienced an 8% real-terms funding decrease over the past two years (due to inflation), and short-term funding cycles hinder long-term investment in prevention and recovery.

18. The national mission included a commitment to provide an additional £250 million over the parliamentary term to tackle drug deaths and over this period the Scottish Government has introduced several initiatives. Many of these were in response to the Changing Lives report by the Drugs Deaths Taskforce (reported in July 2022). Such initiatives include multi-year investment in third sector organisations to provide essential support at the local level, better surveillance through investment in RADAR, establishment of the UK's first Safter Drug Consumption Facility, progress on drug checking in Scotland. One hundred million pounds of the total £250 million additional funding was made available to support the development of residential rehab in Scotland. This funding has supported additional capacity, an increase in placement referrals and work on developing pathways.

19. Additional funding since 2018/19 includes £2 million for homelessness prevention and £1 million for advocacy and recovery projects. Yet, tracking how funding is distributed and monitored remains challenging.

20. The crisis continues to place significant pressure on frontline services, exacerbated by the emergence of synthetic opioids like nitazenes, which increase the risk of sudden overdose. Police Scotland, health services and community organisations are facing a rising and increasingly complex demand in responding to drug-related harm, particularly in contexts shaped by trauma, social disadvantage and stigma. While trauma-informed approaches are being embedded across services, concerns remain about limited resources and the sustainability of funding beyond the national mission’s planned conclusion in 2026.

21. Policing plays a vital role in reducing drug-related harm, both nationally and locally. This includes strategic planning, partnership working with ADPs, and frontline initiatives such as the rollout of naloxone. While drug death statistics remain a critical measure of the scale of the issue, they do not fully reflect the breadth and depth of efforts underway to reduce harm and support recovery across Scotland.

22. The persistently high number of drug use deaths remains deeply concerning, with each loss having a profound impact on individuals, families and communities. Although annual drug death figures are an important indicator, they represent only one aspect of a much wider response. Across Scotland, a range of co-ordinated activities is being delivered to prevent harm, support recovery, and improve lives. This report refers to some of those approaches and highlights the contribution of policing within the broader national effort.

Underlying causes of drug-related harm

23. The Scottish Drugs Forum (SDF) and the Scottish Drug Deaths Taskforce have identified poverty as a primary driver of Scotland’s drug deaths crisis (see Changing Lives report (July 2022)). This crisis is deeply rooted in persistent and complex disadvantage (a pattern not observed in other comparable European nations) that is more prevalent in Scotland due to its legacy of economic and social challenges dating back to the 1980s. These disadvantages include poor physical and mental health, unemployment and unstable housing, involvement with the criminal justice system, and family breakdown. Such conditions contribute to high-risk drug use and perpetuate intergenerational cycles of substance dependency.

24. The report also draws attention to the level and impact of discrimination and stigma in society, in the media and in services. It contends that, as a result, drug users have been demonised and criminalised and – to an extent – ignored. This remains a critical issue that can perpetuate drug use, and it is a key priority for change. We talk more about this in the following section of this report.

25. Deprivation also remains a key factor. Individuals in the most deprived areas of Scotland are 18 times more likely to die from drug-related causes than those in the least deprived areas. Problematic drug use is most concentrated in communities facing limited access to education, employment and support services. Deprivation is strongly associated with poor health and social outcomes, such as mental and physical illness, high exposure to trauma and a greater prevalence of adverse childhood experiences – all recognised risk factors for substance use. These difficulties are often intensified by limited access to services, especially in rural areas, where high eligibility thresholds, long waiting times and a lack of tailored, person-centred support create additional barriers.

26. Childhood adversity and deprivation have lasting consequences, not only for individuals, but for society as a whole. The financial and social burden of substance use is considerable, with diminished life opportunities, lost productivity and increased pressure on public services ultimately affecting communities across Scotland.

27. Similar patterns are evident among care-experienced adults, who are 1.5 times more likely to face multiple disadvantages, including substance use, homelessness and mental health challenges (see Independent Care Review - Follow the Money 2020, under the umbrella of The Promise)^[6]. These interconnected issues highlight the entrenched social inequalities that continue to fuel problematic drug use.

28. Changing patterns of drug use further complicate service planning and delivery. The proportion of drug use deaths involving cocaine rose from 6% in 2008 to 47% in 2024. The use of street benzodiazepines and synthetic opioids such as nitazenes is increasing, while heroin availability has declined. Polydrug use – the combination of multiple substances – is now common and was implicated in 81% of drug use deaths in 2023.

29. According to Audit Scotland (2022), 93% of all drug-related deaths involved more than one substance. Among these, 89% included opiates or opioids such as heroin, morphine, or methadone, while 73% involved benzodiazepines or etizolam. Polydrug use – where individuals consume a combination of illicit substances – remains prevalent and was implicated in 81% of all drug use deaths in 2023 and 80% of those in 2024.

30. The National Mission on Drugs Deaths: Plan 2022-2026 reports the rise in drug-related deaths being accompanied by increasing harms, including approximately 15,000 drug-related hospital admissions annually. Hospital stays related to drug use have increased significantly from 149 per 100,000 population in 2012/13 to 284 in 2019/20 (with a slight decrease to 270 in 2020/21).

31. More recently, as noted in RADAR quarterly report (October 2025), between April and June 2025, there were 2,155 drug related hospital admissions, an average of 166 per week. This figure was 10% higher than the previous quarter (1,961 admissions), 14% lower than the same period in 2023 (2,500), and 5% lower than in 2024 (2,267).

32. Concerns raised in Audit Scotland’s 2022 report regarding drug and alcohol services remain highly relevant. The report called for urgent action to address the root causes of substance dependency, break intergenerational cycles of harm and improve the use of data to support accountability. These themes are echoed and reinforced in the 2024 follow-up report, which highlights ongoing fragmentation in service delivery, the absence of a cohesive national strategy and persistent gaps in data quality. Despite increased investment, Audit Scotland stresses that without a clear, integrated approach and robust performance monitoring, it will be difficult to demonstrate meaningful progress in tackling Scotland’s drug and alcohol crisis.

Impact of stigma

33. People affected by drug and alcohol problems, whether through personal use or association, often face some of the most profound stigma in society. This stigma can come from many sources, including societal attitudes, media portrayals, professionals within services, and even self-stigmatisation. It is one of the most significant barriers to accessing treatment, community support and wider opportunities. Many individuals report feeling that the healthcare system sees only their drug use, rather than recognising their full identity and circumstances. This perception can discourage engagement with services and delay or prevent recovery.

34. Stigma not only isolates individuals but also reinforces trauma, creating an environment where people feel unsafe to disclose their drug use or seek help. Many who access alcohol and drug services have experienced trauma and are at heightened risk of further harm. Research shows that people with drug or alcohol problems often have mental health issues. They are also more likely to experience homelessness or become involved with the criminal justice system.

35. The impact of stigma and substance use extends beyond individuals to their families, who often bear the emotional, social and economic burden. Families may face discrimination, be marginalised in service provision, and experience grief and trauma first-hand. Despite being central to the support network of those affected, families are frequently overlooked in policy and practice.

36. Although progress has been made in developing more compassionate, trauma-informed services, access remains inconsistent. Many individuals are unaware of their rights or struggle to navigate complex systems. Those already facing disadvantage encounter further obstacles, and much work remains to ensure services are responsive to diverse needs and circumstances.

37. Addressing the impact of substance use requires a holistic approach – one that recognises the person behind the problem, supports families and tackles the structural inequalities that sustain harm. Reducing stigma, improving access and investing in trauma-informed, person-centred care are essential steps toward breaking the cycle of disadvantage and improving outcomes for individuals and communities.

Scale of the drug problem facing policing

38. The challenge facing policing in Scotland regarding drug harm reduction is significant and complex. It is shaped in part by high drug-related death rates, the emergence of highly potent nitazenes and other synthetic opioids, and tensions between the country’s public health approach and traditional criminal justice responses.

39. According to the National Crime Agency (NCA), in its National Strategic Assessment 2025 of Serious and Organised Crime report, drug use and drug-related deaths continue to affect the UK, with an estimated total annual cost to the national purse of over £20 billion. A 2009 report by the Scottish Government, Assessing the Scale and Impact of Illicit Drug Markets in Scotland, estimated the total value of the illicit drugs market in Scotland, at that time, to be around £1.4 billion and the total economic and social cost of illicit drug use at just under £3.5 billion.

40. The NCA report highlights an upward trend in the threat from the illicit drugs market, bolstered by a dangerous combination of domestic and global drivers such as increasing demand, an abundant supply in most drug-producing countries, sophisticated and adaptable drug importation methods, an increase in organised crime groups willing to collaborate, and an expanding synthetic drug market. In particular, the fortification of heroin with nitazenes and other synthetic opioids has significantly increased the risk of harm to users.

41. Serious and organised crime (SOC) is a national security threat, causing significant levels of harm to individuals and communities. In Scotland, SOC is responsible for causing substantial economic and social harm to individuals, businesses and communities alike. Drug trafficking is a significant criminal market in Scotland, with networks involved in the production, procurement and distribution of illegal drugs. Drug crime is deeply interconnected with other forms of SOC, with overlapping infrastructure, networks and tactics that also support violence, exploitation, trafficking, money laundering, cybercrime, and even terrorism.

42. According to the Serious Organised Crime Taskforce Progress Report 2024, at the end of March 2024, 90 SOC groups were recorded as operating across Scotland. Of those, 62% were involved in drug crime, with cocaine and cannabis being the most common commodities.

43. The Police Scotland National Strategic Threat and Risk Assessment 2023/28, evaluates drug harm and drug importation and supply as being ‘very high’ in the operational policing priorities on the Police Scotland Force Control Strategy. This is due to the impact on both individual victims and communities across Scotland.

44. The public also perceives illicit drug use as a major social problem in Scotland. This is reflected in the responses to the Scottish Crime and Justice Survey. In 2023/24, victims of crime perceived the offender to be under the influence of drugs in 34% of all crimes, including 45% of violent crimes. Adult respondents perceived drug dealing/abuse to be the most common issue in their local area, with 46% of people believing it to be very or fairly common. Drug dealing/abuse was identified as the most common of a range of issues outlined in each survey from 2009/10 to 2021/22.

45. In terms of enforcement, Official Home Office statistics for the year ending 31 March 2024 show that police forces in England and Wales and Border Force made a total of 217,644 drug seizures, a 13% increase compared with the previous year (192,145). Border Force seized a total of 105.73 tonnes of weighed drugs, which is the highest weight seized by Border Force since records began.

46. Increased cocaine use and overseas production led to the seizure of more than 28 tonnes of cocaine – representing a 52% increase from the previous year. The quantity of heroin seized decreased by 54%, from 950 kilograms to 441 kilograms, compared with the previous year, although it remains the most common drug responsible for drug deaths in the UK. The total quantity of herbal cannabis seized increased by 53%, from 55.59 tonnes to 85.01 tonnes, compared with the previous year. This represents the largest recorded quantity of herbal cannabis seized since records began.

47. In 2023, the Scottish Government released official statistics on drug seizures made by Police Scotland, as well as the characteristics of those found in possession of drugs in 2021-2022. In relation to drug supply offences only, Police Scotland seized 127 kilograms of heroin and 64 kilograms of cocaine. In the same period, more than 1,467 kilograms of herbal cannabis were seized, along with 86 kilograms of cannabis resin, 50 kilograms of amphetamines and 4.8 million benzodiazepine tablets.

48. Although these are record-breaking seizure levels, the volume of imported and domestically produced drugs significantly exceeds what is seized by police and partner agencies – highlighting the scale and complexity of the illicit drug trade.

49. The NCA also reports that significant shifts are underway in the UK drug market, with synthetic drugs a rapidly evolving and growing concern. The United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) World Drug Report 2025 highlights the continued development and introduction of new alternative synthetic opioids such as nitazenes and fentanyl as of serious concern. In 2023, 20 different nitazenes were reported by 28 countries to the UNODC Early Warning Advisory on New Psychoactive Substances, 12 of which are now under international control.

50. Nitazenes are a group of synthetic opioids – with no approved human use – that can be up to 500 times more potent than heroin. They are increasingly detected mixed with heroin, but also in a range of counterfeit pills (such as benzodiazepines and painkillers) to strengthen effects, often without the knowledge of the user.

51. Toxicology and testing data within the PHS Rapid Action Drug Alerts and Response (RADAR) quarterly report October 2025 highlight the ongoing shifts in Scotland’s own drug markets with the adulteration of heroin, benzodiazepines and oxycodone with nitazene-type opioids continuing to be reported. Nitazenes are associated with rapid onset of overdose and while it can take more than one naloxone administration to reverse an overdose, naloxone remains effective in treating a nitazene overdose. They are increasingly detected in hospital and post-mortem toxicology in Scotland. Nitazenes have been detected in a total of 244 deaths in Scotland up to the end of June 2025.

52. Recent press reporting has shone the spotlight on the rise in popularity of ketamine, particularly among younger age groups who use the drug recreationally as a ‘party drug’ in the belief that is a cheaper and safer alternative. However, ketamine can cause significant health harms, both mental and physical. ‘Ketamine bladder’ refers to the severe and painful bladder damage caused by ketamine use, which in serious cases can include the shedding of the bladder lining. A children’s hospital in Liverpool, an area we visited as part of our benchmarking activity, has taken the unprecedented step of opening a specialised clinic to address the alarming rise in ketamine addiction in young people across Merseyside.

National policy

53. As indicated, Scottish Government has introduced a national mission to address the scale and impact of the drug problem in Scotland, following on from a number of previous policy developments. However, while its aims and objectives are widely regarded as clear, well-intentioned and commendable, some concerns have been raised by stakeholders. These include limited visibility of the national mission among some partner organisations, a disconnect between strategic intent and frontline practice, and concerns that political pressure to deliver quick results may overshadow the sustained efforts of frontline agencies and staff.

54. Variation in service quality and differing funding models across the country were also noted as problematic, along with a lack of focus on addressing the deeper social inequalities that underpin Scotland’s problem with drugs. Awareness of the national mission across local policing divisions and operational staff also appeared limited – except among officers working within partnership teams or those with specific roles in reducing drug-related harm.

55. We also heard concerns about the evolving nature of Scotland’s unregulated drug market. While the national mission has primarily focused on opioids, which remain the most common drug type implicated in fatalities, emerging substances including synthetic opioids, benzodiazepines, and anaesthetics such as ketamine, are becoming increasingly prevalent and can cause significant harm. Some individuals from the agencies and projects we met during our inspection questioned whether the national mission is sufficiently agile and responsive to these developments.

56. The Scottish Government established a National Drugs Mission Oversight Group (NDMOG) in 2022 to provide challenge, scrutiny and advice to government and the wider sector. The group also aims to drive progress and promote accountability across the system and among the organisations delivering relevant services. The NDMOG brings together a broad range of stakeholders, including public health, police, third sector organisations, academics and people with lived experience, to provide informed oversight of the national response. It also advises on policy development and promotes the sharing of best practice to support innovation and continuous learning across the sector. Quarterly progress reports are published by the group on the Scottish Government website.

57. Some of the agencies and stakeholders we met expressed concerns about the extent to which the NDMOG can hold key organisations to account for the approach they take and the progress they make against national aims and objectives – such as NHS boards, local authorities, police and other public bodies.

58. This perceived lack of overarching influence, it was suggested, could result in a lack of progress being made and, in some circumstances, limited the potential for effective collaboration and co-ordination of drug harm reduction strategies. It was also suggested that quarterly meetings were insufficient to provide the robust level of scrutiny and challenge required – particularly given the pace at which new drug threats emerge.

59. While we found a considerable amount of support for the national mission across sectors, some frustration was voiced about limited recognition of how deeply drug harms are connected to broader social and cultural issues in Scotland. While drug treatment and harm reduction have been the primary focus and main areas for funding, some felt that achieving long-term, sustainable change will require a more joined-up and co-ordinated approach across all sectors.

Safer drug consumption facility

60. There has been considerable national focus on drug harm in recent years, and media and political discussion has intensified since the opening of the UK’s first legal safer drug consumption facility (the Thistle) in Glasgow, in January 2025.

61. While the Thistle represents a significant shift in Scotland’s strategic approach to drug harm reduction, there are already over 100 such facilities across Europe, Canada and Australia. In these supervised healthcare environments, individuals can inject drugs obtained elsewhere under the oversight of trained health and social care professionals. The aim is to reduce the harms associated with public injecting, improving individual health outcomes and mitigating the impact on local communities and businesses.

62. Glasgow City Health and Social Care Partnership (HSCP), NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde (NHS GGC), Police Scotland and other partners, collaborated to establish the Thistle, which is targeted at individuals with long-term injecting drug use. The service provides a gateway to broader health and social support, including:

• recovery-oriented services
• primary healthcare, including GP access, wound care and treatment for blood-borne viruses, such as HIV
• sexual health advice
• housing, welfare rights and advocacy support
• referral pathways to alcohol and drug recovery services and wider social care.

63. Senior leaders from Police Scotland, at a national and local level, have been involved throughout the development journey, playing a proactive role in the public health strategy for the facility. From a policing perspective, the Thistle marks a significant departure from traditional enforcement-led approaches.

64. A short-life working group, led by the Policing Together division, was established to support an effective and proportionate policing response to incidents within or connected to the facility. The group included representatives from Police Scotland’s divisional partnership teams, Criminal Justice Services division, the Contact, Command and Control division, and the COPFS. It resulted in operational arrangements and guidance being put in place to direct Police Scotland’s harm reduction approach to the facility. These also reflected the Lord Advocate’s guidelines regarding the facility, which state:

“It would not be in the public interest to prosecute users of the facility for simple possession offences (in terms of section 5(2) of the Misuse of Drugs Act 1971) committed within the facility.”

65. Accordingly, police officers do not actively target individuals using the facility and avoid routine high-visibility patrols in the immediate area, so as not to deter people from accessing the service. However, they continue to respond to reports of criminal activity, maintaining a focus on public safety and community reassurance. Where appropriate, officers adopt alternative approaches to enforcement around the facility, such as referrals and signposting to support services.

66. Inspectors visited the facility as part of fieldwork activities and received reports of strong working relationships between local police officers and staff at the facility who, alongside outreach teams, play a key role in supporting and connecting individuals to the service.

67. Since opening, and up to the end of October this year, more than 494 individuals have used the facility, with over 5,550 injection episodes recorded. The service has been accessed by these individuals over 8,200 times in the past ten months. Cocaine use has significantly exceeded heroin use during this period. Staff have responded to over 60 medical emergencies within the facility. Importantly, all individuals involved in these incidents recovered either at the facility or, when necessary, in hospital.

68. The facility also benefits from access to the RADAR early warning system, which provides alerts on emerging drug-related risks. However, care is taken when sharing near-fatal overdose (NFO) intelligence more widely, to avoid unintended consequences (such as individuals seeking out high-potency substances).

69. Some of those interviewed at the facility expressed concern that the Misuse of Drugs Act 1971 remains a barrier to fully realising the facility’s harm reduction goals and Police Scotland’s public health approach. It was suggested that current legislation, which focuses solely on enforcement, does not align with the strategic and cultural direction being adopted.

70. The Greater Glasgow division has developed internal guidance, tailored to the local context in which the facility operates, to support senior managers in providing direction for officers.

71. Community engagement has been central to the facility’s development. A community forum was established to address concerns about public safety and anti-social behaviour. Police Scotland also developed and has maintained a comprehensive communication strategy.

72. We found that other areas of Scotland were closely monitoring the development of the Thistle, with a view to potential adoption of the model. Edinburgh City, for example, has been actively exploring how a local version of the facility might operate, tailored to the specific needs of the city.

73. We were also advised that Glasgow City Council is planning to introduce a drug checking service as part of a national pilot which will see three other cities (Dundee, Edinburgh and Aberdeen) also establish services. The Home Office has approved the project, which will allow people to have drugs tested for dangerous contaminants. The project will provide individuals with harm reduction advice alongside their drug test results. The project will operate from the same site as the Thistle.

74. Separately, the Scottish Government has announced that the University of Dundee will host a national drug-testing centre, which will be operated by the Leverhulme Research Centre for Forensic Science. The research centre will analyse drug samples from the city drug checking sites to help respond to emerging drug threats and trends, including dangerous and toxic synthetic opioids.

75. Clearly, the intention of these developments is to improve the identification of the contaminants used within a range of drugs, to inform and support harm reduction efforts and potentially reduce drug-related deaths.

Benchmarking

76. As part of our benchmarking activities, we visited Merseyside Police, a force recognised for its proactive and strategic approach to tackling drug-related harm. Much of what we learned during the visit closely aligned with the findings of our inspection. This included an emphasis on partnership working, the integration of lived experience, and a clear public health approach that complements enforcement and disruption efforts. Discussions also highlighted shared challenges around culture and stigma, emerging drug trends, the use of early warning systems, and ongoing funding pressures.

77. Merseyside’s approach is shaped by its role as a significant exporter of county lines organised criminal gangs to other parts of the UK, including Scotland. This context influences both operational priorities and funding allocations.

78. Project ADDER (Addiction, Diversion, Disruption, Enforcement and Recovery), launched in November 2020 and later integrated into the UK Government’s Drug Strategy: From Harm to Hope (published December 2021), aimed to reduce illegal drug use, offending, and deaths through a public health and partnership-led approach. In Merseyside, ADDER focused on moving away from punitive responses, supporting recovery, and disrupting drug markets. With ADDER funding now ended, its legacy team has transitioned into Project Medusa.

79. Merseyside receives £8 million annually from the Home Office to support Project Medusa, a multi-strand initiative launched in 2019 across Merseyside, the Metropolitan Police and West Midlands – forces identified as high exporters of county lines activity.

80. Project Medusa adopts a whole-systems, holistic approach to tackling organised drug crime. While the project operates under a single umbrella, it includes several operational strands with distinct names and objectives. Notably, Medusa funding supports two criminal intelligence analysts and a county lines co-ordinator within Police Scotland, contributing to the national County Lines Taskforce.

81. Further collaboration is evident through Merseyside’s participation in Project Housebuilder, co-ordinated by the NCA. This platform facilitates strategic links with Police Scotland and enables the sharing of intelligence on emerging threats, such as nitazenes and other high-harm synthetic opioids, as well as best practice in harm reduction. This cross-border engagement supports both policing and wider partnership responses to drug-related harm across the UK.

82. We also found evidence of innovation in Devon and Cornwall Police, who were part of a collaborative harm reduction team that received a prestigious science award for its role in developing revolutionary handheld devices capable of detecting deadly synthetic drugs within seconds. The team includes members from the Universities of Bath, Bristol, Glasgow and Manchester Metropolitan, alongside Devon and Cornwall Police and international partners. Its work was recognised by the Royal Society of Chemistry’s Analytical Science Horizon Prize (George Stokes Prize), which celebrates the creation of portable technology capable of instantly identifying lethal synthetic substances.

83. We heard that two of these devices have been secured by Police Scotland. Initial trials are expected to take place in the North East and Greater Glasgow divisions, with potential for rotation across other areas.

84. While procedural steps, such as testing, documentation and training still need to be completed before deployment, the technology promises to significantly enhance Police Scotland’s ability to issue real-time alerts about dangerous drug batches. This would enable faster communication with public health partners and communities, enhancing the speed and effectiveness of harm reduction efforts.

[6] The Promise was launched in 2020 with a commitment to transform the care system for children and young people to ensure they grow up loved, safe and respected.