Thematic inspection of police response to drug harm reduction - Terms of Reference

Introduction

1. HM Inspectorate of Constabulary in Scotland (HMICS) has committed to a statutory inspection of the police response to drug harm reduction as part of its scrutiny plan for 2022-25.

2. Scotland has one of the highest drug death rates in the developed world. In 2020, 1,339 people died from drug-related causes; the highest on record in Scotland and the highest rate in Europe at that time. The rate has increased substantially over the last 20 years with 4.6 times as many deaths in 2020 when compared with the year 2000.

3. In 2023, a total of 1,172 people died from drug related causes in Scotland, an increase of 121 from 2022. However, this figure also represents the second lowest number of drug deaths since 2017. Drug deaths are widely recognised as a critical public health issue and one of the biggest contributors to Scotland’s falling life expectancy.

4. In January 2021, the Scottish Government announced a new ‘national mission to reduce drug related deaths and harms’. This was followed by the introduction of the National Mission on Drug Deaths: Plan 2022-2026, which sets out in detail how Scottish Government plan to deliver the national mission over the duration of this parliament. The national mission complements and builds upon the drug and alcohol strategy for Scotland; Rights, Respect and Recovery, published in November 2018.

5. While many of the strategies and approaches outlined in the national mission to alter Scotland’s problem with drugs require the intervention of Scottish Government as well as the NHS, local government, and third sector organisations and services, there are important aspects relevant to policing.

6. These include the role of Police Scotland in the strategic planning for drug harm reduction at a national level (through participation in national groups and forums); the provision of effective leadership and direction to police officers and staff; partnership working at national and divisional levels on preventative approaches; the role of local policing in reducing drug harms; and the roll-out of naloxone across frontline police services. All of which will be examined through our inspection activities.

Aim

7. The aim of this inspection will be to assess the efficiency and effectiveness of Police Scotland’s strategic and operational approach to the reduction of drug related harms in Scotland, and the outcomes achieved.

8. As noted, we recognise that while Police Scotland is a key partner in contributing to drug harm reduction, it does not have lead responsibility for national strategy, funding and resources, nor the wide range of intervention and support services delivered by health, social work and third sector organisations to address this issue.

Background

9. There has been considerable academic research on the subject of reducing drug related harms. In addition, the Scottish Government has established a range of national groups and taskforces over recent years with the aim of informing policy and strategy, and reporting on areas for improvement. We will refer to the product of these in order to inform the background and context of our inspection.