The Public Audit Committee looks at reports published by the Auditor General for Scotland to examine whether public money is being spent efficiently and effectively.
On 31 October 2024 the Auditor General for Scotland and Accounts Commission published Alcohol and drug services.
The report says "The number of people dying in Scotland because of alcohol or drug use remains high compared with other parts of the UK and Europe. This is despite improved national leadership and increased investment in alcohol and drug services. The Scottish Government has made progress in addressing our previous recommendations for drug and alcohol services, increasing residential rehabilitation capacity and implementing treatment standards. However, progress in putting some key national strategies into practice, such as implementing a workforce plan and alcohol marketing reform, has been slow".
The report was discussed at the following Committee meetings in relation to its work programme:
Minutes of the meeting on 5 March 2025:
In relation to Alcohol and drug services, the Committee agreed to write to the Criminal Justice, Health, Social Care and Sport and Social Justice and Social Security Committees and in doing so, close its scrutiny of the report.
The Committee has sent and received the following correspondence during scrutiny of the report:
Correspondence from the Convener to Conveners of Health, Social Care and Sport, Criminal Justice and Social Justice and Social Security Committees, 3 April 2025
Correspondence to the Convener from Caroline Lamb, Chief Executive of NHS Scotland and Director-General Health and Social Care, Scottish Government, 6 February 2025
Correspondence from the Convener to Caroline Lamb, Chief Executive of NHS Scotland and Director-General Health and Social Care, Scottish Government, 15 January 2025
Correspondence to the Convener from Laura Mahon, Acting Chief Executive, Alcohol Focus Scotland and Dr Alastair MacGilchrist, Chair, Scottish Health Action on Alcohol Problems, 17 December 2024
Correspondence to the Convener from Caroline Lamb, Chief Executive NHS Scotland and Director-General Health and Social Care, Scottish Government, 11 December 2024
Correspondence to the Convener from Stephen Boyle, the Auditor General for Scotland, 11 December 2024
Correspondence from the Convener to Stephen Boyle, the Auditor General for Scotland, 22 November 2024
Correspondence to the Convener from Jo Armstrong, Chair, Accounts Commission, 7 November 2024