11 December marked the launch of the National Collaborative's Charter of Rights for People Affected by Substance Use.

On 11 December 2024 the National Collaborative hosted a launch event to celebrate the publication of the Charter of Rights for People Affected by Substance Use.

Joined by the First Minister John Swinney, the United Nations Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights and the Cabinet Secretary for Health and Social Care, the event celebrated the journey of the National Collaborative and the Change Team responsible for the development of the Charter.


The Charter of Rights for People Affected by Substance Use is the product of consultation with individuals affected by substance use supported by the Health and Social Care Alliance Scotland (the ALLIANCE), and reflects the lived experience of individuals in Scotland. The Charter outlines seven key rights that individuals felt were essential when accessing a range of alcohol and substance use support services. The accompanying Charter Toolkit provides a guide for duty bearers, services and rights holders on how these rights should be met in practice.

“Once you know your rights, that doesn’t leave you”

Ariane Beaver, Change Team Member

The afternoon of 11 December saw the Scottish Government co-host a National Dialogue on human rights and drug policy with the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR). The OHCHR provided reflections on the importance of the Charter globally, and praised the National Collaborative for its ground-breaking approach in using a rights based approach to alcohol and substance use, with Scotland being a global forerunner in this respect.

The event drew to a close with a focused discussion on how to use the Charter of Rights. Delegates heard from rights holders and duty bearers across the drugs and alcohol sector about how individuals and services have already started to use the Charter and its accompanying toolkit to improve the lives of people affected by substance use.

The next step will be an event early in 2025 which will initiate a collaborative process to explore approaches and actions to be included in a national implementation plan.

The Charter of Rights for People Affected by Substance Use can be found by clicking here. The Charter Toolkit can be found by clicking here.

“It’s been so inspirational. Being involved with the change team themselves. The commitment, the dedication and the opportunity to improve lives for some of our, communities of inequality”

Irene Oldfather, Director Strategic Partnerships, External Affairs and Outreach, Health and Social Care Alliance Scotland

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