CONSTANCE RE-APPOINTED AS SCOTLAND’S MINISTER FOR DRUGS POLICY

CONSTANCE RE-APPOINTED AS SCOTLAND’S MINISTER FOR DRUGS POLICY

Following her successful re-election as the MSP for Almond Valley, Angela Constance was re-appointed to serve as the Minister for Drugs Policy within the Scottish Government.  The First Minister, Nicola Sturgeon MSP, in December 2020 appointed Ms Constance to this new post dedicated to tackling  drug related deaths and to lead a national mission to save and improve lives.  Ms Constance reports direct to the First Minister.

Commenting after her re-appointment Angela Constance MSP said

“I am pleased to be re-appointed as the Minister for Drugs Policy and to take forward the new work I have started in our national mission to tackle drug related deaths. I have already secured an additional £250 million over the lifetime of this Parliament to invest in actions that will both save and improve lives.   Additional investment is being made for residential rehabilitation, community services and grassroots and third sector organisations. 

Going forward I will be focused on ensuring people can access help and support that is right for them and when they ask for it, as well as improving outreach services.  This is a challenging post but I will work hard with others to promote recovery and to reduce the harm caused by drugs to individuals, families and communities. Tackling drug related deaths is a public health emergency and it requires a local and national effort to join up services across addiction, mental health, education, justice as well as tackling poverty and inequality. “

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