Thematic inspection of police response to drug harm reduction

Scotland continues to face one of the most severe drug-related public health crises in the developed world. In 2024 alone, 1,017 drug use deaths were registered – a 13% reduction from the previous year, yet still the highest rate in Europe and a stark reminder of the scale of the challenge. During the first half of 2025, 607 suspected drug deaths were recorded, indicating a concerning upward trend.

These figures represent more than statistics – they reflect a devastating impact on individuals, families and communities across the country, and affirm the urgent need for a co-ordinated, sustained and effective response.

We committed to undertaking a thematic inspection of the police response to drug harm reduction as part of our scrutiny plan for 2022-25, with the aim of assessing the efficiency and effectiveness of Police Scotland’s strategic and operational approach to the reduction of drug-related harms in Scotland, and the outcomes achieved.

We recognise that, while Police Scotland is a key partner in drug harm reduction, it does not have lead responsibility for national strategy, funding and resources, nor the wide range of intervention and support services delivered by partner organisations to address this issue.

Our inspection reflects upon national policy and considers the extent to which Police Scotland is aligned with this. The National Mission on Drugs, launched by Scottish Government in 2021, aims to reduce drug deaths and improve lives through a trauma-informed, evidence-led public health approach. It has successfully brought together partners through forums and planning committees.

However, concerns have been raised about its relatively narrow focus on opioids, limited responsiveness to new and emerging drug-related threats and harms, and its ability to hold key organisations accountable for their performance and progress against key objectives. Questions also persist about whether funding is sufficient and well-targeted. With funding for the national mission due to conclude in 2026, it is essential that the Scottish Government's new Alcohol and Drugs Strategic Plan, due in early 2026, sets out a clear and sustainable plan to continue its objectives and ensure long-term progress.

Our inspection found that Police Scotland has made a valuable contribution to drug harm reduction, particularly through its work with Alcohol and Drug Partnerships (ADP), the rollout of naloxone, and the development of local initiatives supporting prevention, intervention and recovery. Over 12,500 officers now carry naloxone, with more than 900 administrations recorded to date – an initiative that has saved lives and one that marks a significant shift in policing culture towards greater empathy, trauma-informed practice and public health awareness.

Local policing divisions have played a central role in this progress. Senior officers regularly attend ADP meetings, contribute to strategic planning and support frontline projects. In some divisions, police officers are embedded within harm reduction initiatives – such as the VOW Project in Edinburgh, the Positive Outcomes Project in Glasgow, and assertive outreach programmes in Tayside – providing direct support to individuals at risk. These arrangements have improved trust, enhanced collaboration and delivered meaningful interventions.

Specialist policing units such as the Specialist Crime Division, Drug Harm Intelligence Team and the STOP unit have provided critical intelligence on emerging threats, supporting public health surveillance and disrupting high-harm supply chains. Their work complements the efforts of local policing teams and contributes to a more co-ordinated and intelligence-led response to synthetic opioids, polydrug use and organised criminal activity.

We also found evidence of a positive shift in policing culture. Partners consistently reported improved empathy, engagement and trauma-informed practice among officers. This cultural change is critical to reducing stigma, building trust and supporting recovery. However, significant gaps remain.

Police Scotland does not have a published national drug harm reduction strategy, and operational guidance on balancing enforcement with a public health approach remains limited. Performance monitoring is fragmented, with a lack of outcome-focused indicators to assess the effectiveness of collaborative interventions and partnerships. While drug-related deaths are tracked, broader indicators of harm reduction – such as engagement with support services, prevention and intervention approaches, reduced stigma and improved social outcomes – are not routinely measured or reported.
To improve its response, Police Scotland should take decisive steps to strengthen its strategic and operational approach. This includes making clear its policy on drug harm reduction – defining the policing purpose within a public health approach, and providing frontline officers with practical guidance on how to balance enforcement with harm reduction. Internal governance and co-ordination should be improved, particularly between the Policing Together division and local divisions, and performance monitoring should be enhanced to include both quantitative and qualitative indicators of success.

More broadly, Scotland must continue to focus on a whole-system approach to drug harm reduction. This should include sustained investment from Scottish Government, strategic leadership from statutory and third sector partners, and collaboration with key stakeholders. The work of ADPs, outreach teams, recovery services and lived experience advocates is indispensable – and should be supported with long-term funding, robust evaluation, and resources.

Police Scotland has demonstrated a willingness to adapt and contribute meaningfully to the national effort to reduce drug-related harm. However, further progress will require clearer strategic direction, a stronger performance framework and deeper collaboration across sectors. The scale of the challenge demands a unified and sustained response – one that is rooted in evidence of what works, shared accountability and an ongoing commitment to saving and improving lives.

Craig Naylor
His Majesty’s Chief Inspector of Constabulary
December 2025