Thematic inspection of police response to drug harm reduction

Strategic intent and outcome setting

276. Police Scotland has made significant progress in embedding a public health approach to drug harm reduction, supported by its 2030 Vision, Annual Police Plan and divisional strategies. These reflect a clear intent to reduce drug-related deaths and harms through trauma-informed, evidence-based policing. However, this intent is not yet supported by comprehensive, measurable outcome targets, or consistent operational delivery across the country.

277. The absence of a published national drug harm reduction strategy for policing has led to variability in local approaches. While divisions such as Edinburgh, Greater Glasgow and Tayside have well-embedded strategic approaches aligned with national goals, a lack of performance monitoring and evaluation means that efforts across the country can be inconsistent, and opportunities for shared learning are limited.

278. Establishing clear, measurable objectives is essential for several reasons:

• Clarity of purpose: Officers and staff need a clear understanding of what success looks like in a public health context, beyond traditional enforcement methods.
• Accountability: More clearly defined targets would allow Police Scotland to demonstrate, and report on, progress to the SPA and the public.
• Organisational learning: Further monitoring of outcomes would enable the service to identify what works well, and where improvements are needed.
• Strategic planning: Comprehensive outcome data can inform partnership development, resource allocation, and future service design.
• Cultural transformation: Clear objectives can reinforce the shift from enforcement-led policing to a more trauma-informed, public health model.

Monitoring and reporting

279. Police Scotland currently monitors key indicators such as naloxone administration, drug seizures and drug-related deaths. These are reported through quarterly performance reports to the SPA, and the Chief Constable’s annual report. While important, these measures do not capture the full scope of harm reduction efforts across divisions, nor the qualitative outcomes achieved through prevention, intervention and partnership work. There is limited evaluation of partnership projects, arrest referral schemes or the effectiveness of police involvement in ADPs. Feedback mechanisms are underdeveloped and data sharing between divisions and partners remains inconsistent.

280. A broader set of indicators should be considered in the evaluation of performance and outcomes, including:

• NFO trends
• referral success rates
• engagement with support services
• reduction in stigma and discrimination
• improved health and wellbeing outcomes
• rehabilitation and recovery outcomes.

281. It is recognised that some of these outcome measures fall within the remit of partner organisations, but well-developed partnerships with ADPs should provide opportunities for improved collaboration on performance monitoring. There are however, outcome measures that relate specifically to policing and therefore Police Scotland should ensure that these are tracked and evaluated.

282. While Police Scotland has articulated its commitment to a public health approach, there remains a lack of clarity about how this should be put into practice, particularly for frontline officers.

Achievements

283. Despite these gaps, Police Scotland and its partners have achieved significant progress:

• Naloxone rollout: over 12,500 officers now carry naloxone, with more than 900 administrations recorded. This has saved lives and supported a cultural shift toward harm reduction.
• Partnership working: having police officers embedded in projects such as the VOW, POP and SideStep has improved collaboration, enhanced trust and supported vulnerable individuals.
• NFO groups: these multi-agency forums have enabled swift responses to emerging threats, demonstrating exemplary practice in real-time harm reduction.
• Specialist units: the SCD, DHIT and STOP unit have provided critical intelligence, disrupted high-harm supply chains, and supported public health surveillance.

284. These achievements reflect a growing maturity in Police Scotland’s approach to drug harm reduction.

Culture change

285. Partners consistently reported a marked improvement in police attitudes, empathy, and trauma-informed practice, particularly among frontline officers. Recent changes in police culture – partly achieved through the rollout of naloxone – have further strengthened partnership working relationships. Officers embedded in community projects and partnership teams were praised for their empathy, understanding and willingness to collaborate meaningfully.

286. This cultural shift is more than symbolic – it has the potential to save lives. When individuals feel safe to disclose drug use, seek help and engage with services, the risk of overdose and drug use deaths can be reduced. Police Scotland’s efforts to reduce stigma, build relationships and support recovery are, therefore, not only commendable but essential.

Next steps

287. To enhance its approach and support continuous improvement, Police Scotland should:

• Publish a clear policy on drug harm reduction, articulating the policing role within a public health approach.
• Establish outcome measures and targets specific and relevant to policing that encompass both quantitative and qualitative outcomes.
• Monitor performance against defined objectives to track progress and demonstrate impact.
• Evaluate police involvement in ADPs and partnership initiatives (including embedded officer projects) and share learning across divisions.
• Strengthen co-ordination between specialist units and frontline teams, and progress internal platforms to facilitate knowledge exchange and operational alignment.
• Broaden engagement with individuals with lived and living experience to ensure services remain responsive, inclusive and accountable.

288. Police Scotland has made important strides in supporting drug harm reduction through cultural change, partnership working and frontline service delivery. While progress is evident, greater strategic clarity, consistent performance monitoring and improved co-ordination are needed to maximise impact. With sustained commitment and collaboration, the service is well placed to strengthen its role in reducing drug-related harm across Scotland.