National Drugs Mission Fund Conference: Celebrating Five Years of Impact
By Garry Donegan
In 2021, the Scottish Government launched the National Drugs Mission (NDM)– a shared commitment to reduce drug deaths and improve the lives of people affected by drugs in Scotland. Corra Foundation has been proud to deliver the NDM Funds on behalf of the Scottish Government to organisations working in communities across the country. Corra has made 360 NDM grants since 2021. In 2025/26, 220 of these projects were still active and supported over 57,000 people in a 12-month period. At the heart of this work are lives changed.
“Every single person in here saved my life. My kids wouldn’t have a dad if it wasn’t for the support I received.”
To mark five years since the launch of the National Mission, the first National Drug Mission Fund Conference was held on 4 March at the John McIntyre Conference Centre in Edinburgh. The event brought together over 200 delegates for a vibrant day of celebration, reflection and learning. The conference was a celebration of frontline services and the people who deliver this work day in, day out. Delegates took part in inspiring plenary sessions, panel discussions, interactive workshops and creative activities.
The event opened with an address from the Scottish Government’s Minister for Drugs and Alcohol Policy and Sport, Maree Todd, who reflected on progress achieved through the National Mission and announced Corra’s successful application to deliver the next phase of funding – the Alcohol and Drugs Fund – launching later in 2026.
Creativity was central to the day, with a performance from In Cahootz and a poster gallery and cinema space showcasing grant holders’ work through images and short films, amplifying voices from across communities.
The event closed on a high, with a Recognition Awards ceremony. This celebrated frontline workers, nominated by their peers, for the life-changing work they deliver.
One of the participants at the event shared a highlight of the event for them:-
“Hearing in the room that the work we do is valued and that our practice is effective, appreciated and recognised. Third sector does not equate to inexperience – I would argue quite the opposite. At Corra events there is a real sense of our value and that is important.”
- 82% of attendees found the conference ‘extremely useful’ or ‘very useful’
- 76% of attendees found the workshops ‘extremely useful’ or ‘very useful’
- 85% of attendees rated the conference a 9 or above out of 10
We’d like to say a big thank you to everyone involved in making the conference such a positive and uplifting celebration, and to all organisations and workers funded through the National Drugs Mission for the difference you make every day working on the frontline.
