Applying a whole system approach

Overview

A whole-system approach to reduce drug-related harm means action from people whose work, decisions or relationships can improve people’s safety and wellbeing, as well as participation from people with lived and living experience and families.

Summit on Drug Harm

Public Health Scotland hosted a Summit on Drug-Related Harm on 19 June 2026. The Summit was convened in response to Scotland’s continuing crisis of preventable drug-related deaths and harm.

View Findings and recommendations from the summit on reducing drug harms hosted by PHS on 19^th June 2026 and glossary. 

The Summit brought together senior leaders from across the whole system together with people with lived and living experience and families.

The objectives of the Summit were to build shared understanding of the scale and drivers of harm, strengthen national and local leadership and identify practical action across the system.