National Drugs Mission Funds Report 2021-2023
By Corra Foundation
We are pleased to share the National Drugs Mission Funds Report and Executive Summary highlighting progress made by the groups funded under the Scottish Government’s National Drugs Mission funds. These funds support organisations which work with people affected by drug use across Scotland. In 2021, the Scottish Government contracted Corra Foundation to administer five funds – collectively the National Drugs Mission Funds – aimed at stopping drug-related deaths in Scotland.
Since then, over 200 projects across Scotland have been granted funding and have commenced their work. These reports share the progress and impact made by funded organisations.
Content warning. These reports contain reference to suicide, substance use, and sexual assault. If you are impacted by any of these issues and wish to speak to someone, you may wish to contact Samaritans online or call 116 123.
Projects are varied in their aims and approaches. Some enhance drug support services including residential rehabilitation and pathways to recovery. Others apply the ‘whole family approach’ where they work alongside the families of people affected by drug use, in addition to supporting the person themselves. Projects also tackle stigma around drug use; one of the main barriers to progress. Funding is used to cover core costs such as salaries and overheads, as well as training, events and other project-related costs.
Over £8.6m in grants distributed in 22/23
£184,500 average total grant size
37,666 people supported annually in 21-23
226 active projects during 2022/23
Tanya’s Story
‘My name is Tanya*. I am 46 years old and was blessed enough to have the opportunity to go into Organisation D’s* residential rehabilitation centre 20 months ago. I had used drugs on a daily basis many times a day since I was 15. My drug use was extreme and became dirty, miserable, depressing, lonely, isolating and I was tormented every day, trapped in that cycle for years, not knowing or believing that I was worth anymore or that I could live life without drugs.
I had broken relationships with family, no boundaries, no structure and felt lost in life. Nothing else mattered apart from me and where and how I could get drugs. I was in a place where suicide was the only way out and I could not even do that successfully. I felt trapped. When I went into Organisation D, and from the very first day, I was shown support and care, patience, non-judgement, and through time I began to feel genuine love. My trust in them grew immensely as I learned that they never looked for anything in return. Through their guidance, I began to create boundaries and learned to use my voice and that it was okay to own my feelings. I learned life skills, routine, and structure. My general overall health and outward problems were dealt with one at a time with support and guidance. They taught me to become a better person. When I learned through the 12-step programme that the things I had done in active addiction were driven by drugs, the shame and guilt that I felt for years no longer held power over me, and I began to slowly accept myself.
Organisation D told me that I had assets, and that I was a worthwhile person with something to offer the world. I learned to take responsibility for the wrongs and the harms that I had caused, and I continued to make amends for them. My confidence and self-esteem have grown massively, and I no longer hate myself, and I therefore do not see the world as a hostile and negative place.
Organisation D has helped me rebuild my life while supporting me through the programme and into a new tenancy, letting me take my time, never rushing me, enabling me to feel comfortable and settled. They now trust me to come back to Organisation D, volunteering and helping the other women and giving back what was given to me. Thanks to Organisation D, my life has totally transformed.
*names have been changed