Commenting on the publication of Scotland’s Alcohol & Drugs Strategic Plan 2026–2035, alcohol experts Scottish Health Action on Alcohol Problems (SHAAP) call on the Scottish Government to ensure today’s commitments are backed by sustained funding and accountability.
Dr Alastair MacGilchrist OBE, Chair of SHAAP, said:
“Back in 2024, Audit Scotland called out the Scottish Government for shifting focus away from alcohol harm and made a strong recommendation that by mid-2025, the Scottish Government must ‘agree actions to increase focus and funding for tackling alcohol-related harm, while continuing to tackle drug-related harm’.
“Today’s plan is welcome but we have been pressing the Scottish Government for some time to act with urgency to address Scotland’s alcohol problem. With almost 1 in 5 Scottish adults showing signs of hazardous or harmful drinking, around 30,000 alcohol-attributable hospital admissions every year, and more than 3 people dying an avoidable alcohol death every day, the scale of the challenge demands action that matches the rhetoric.
“We note that the plan commits to considering an expansion of the Alcohol Care Team model in Scotland’s hospitals. We would urge the Scottish Government to go further and make this a firm commitment. Each day in Scotland there are many missed opportunities to put in place alcohol treatment and support for people who are admitted to hospital. This is an important piece of the jigsaw and we must see more accessible and readily available services in communities as well, in recognition of the scale of the problem we face.
“We’ll now advocate for accountability – and funding – so that today’s plan is not forgotten about after May’s elections, but forms the basis of meaningful and sustained action to address the treatment gap for people struggling with alcohol problems across Scotland.”
For further information or comment contact Lisa Davie, Policy & Communications Officer at SHAAP on l.davie@rcpe.ac.uk