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AFS Response to new Alcohol and Drugs Strategic Plan for 2026-2035

The Scottish Government has today (10/03/2026) published their new alcohol and drugs strategic plan for 2026-2035.

The Government says that a key priority of the strategic plan is to expand treatment standards to include alcohol and all drugs, with a renewed focus on prevention, including specific measures to stop people from developing problem alcohol and drug use.

Carolyn Lochhead, CEO of Alcohol Focus Scotland said,

“We are glad to see recognition from Scottish Government that, with fifty people a week dying from alcohol, we need urgent change. The new strategic plan incorporates measures that Alcohol Focus Scotland has been calling for including enhanced liver screening and an alcohol-specific prevention plan, including next steps on alcohol marketing and labelling.

“To tackle the near record deaths from alcohol, implementation of the strategic plan must now ensure that people affected by alcohol receive the priority, resources, and investment they need, not just on paper but in practice. We look forward to working with government to make that happen.”