The Scottish Government has announced a new £36.9 million fund aimed at reducing drug and alcohol deaths and improving support for people in recovery across Scotland.
The new Alcohol and Drugs Fund will provide funding over the next three years to frontline services, charities and public bodies working directly with people affected by alcohol and drugs, as well as their families.
The announcement was made by First Minister John Swinney ahead of a national summit on drug deaths in Edinburgh, bringing together health leaders, councils, justice partners, charities and people with lived experience.
The fund forms part of Scotland’s new Alcohol and Drugs Strategic Plan 2026-2035 and sits within a wider package of more than £160 million being invested in alcohol and drug services during 2026/27.
Speaking ahead of the summit, Mr Swinney said the funding would support prevention, harm reduction, treatment and recovery services across Scotland.
He said: “This new fund will provide more than £36 million over the next three years, supporting prevention, harm reduction, treatment and recovery. It will reach organisations of all sizes – from grassroots groups to larger partnerships – with particular emphasis on improving support for children, young people, and families.”
The First Minister said a new “no wrong door” approach was needed to ensure people seeking help could access support quickly and easily.
He added: “If someone needs help, our system should be easy and quick to navigate – wrapping around the person rather than making people fit into the system.”
The fund is open to third-sector organisations and public bodies working directly with people who use alcohol and drugs, people in recovery and their children and families.
The fund will be administered independently by the Corra Foundation, with applications now open.
Carolyn Sawers, chief executive of the Corra Foundation, said: “High-quality support for people affected by drugs and alcohol is vital to collective efforts to reducing harms, realising rights and supporting recovery.”
The announcement comes as communities across Scotland continue efforts to reduce drug-related deaths and improve recovery services through local partnerships and support organisations.