Scottish Drugs Forum

01/04/2026

📣 LIMITED EARLY BIRD TICKETS LEFT 📣

Scottish Drugs Forum’s annual conference returns in 2026 with a two-day event dedicated to reducing drug-related deaths and harms.

🗓️ Wednesday 26 & Thursday 27 August
📍 Radisson Blu Hotel, Glasgow

Get your discounted 'early bird' tickets before they're gone: https://buff.ly/liFXi1m

Early bird ends on 17 April ⏰

30/03/2026

💻 SCOTLAND WIDE ONLINE TRAINING 💻

We have spaces available for our upcoming online Drug Awareness training on 10 April.

This facilitator led course aims to increase drug awareness and knowledge and participants will have the opportunity to explore current and emerging trends within substance use. The training will consider harm reduction and support strategies.

Register now: https://buff.ly/0c0ptbJ

27/03/2026

Show your support for our 5 priorities.

Our manifesto sets out what the next Scottish Parliament must do to reduce harm, save lives and build a system that is honest, humane and grounded in public health.

You can read the full manifesto here: https://buff.ly/AHIodg4

26/03/2026

📣 Limited exhibition stands remaining

This is your opportunity to showcase your work, connect with key stakeholders and be part of the conversation driving change.

📧 Spaces are limited – secure your stand today by contacting juliehm@sdf.org.uk

25/03/2026

Decriminalisation would:

• Remove a major barrier to seeking help
• Reduce stigma
• Enable services to reach people earlier
• Free up police and court resources
• Align Scotland with international best practice

But decriminalisation alone is not enough. Read our call for a shift toward a public-health–led, regulated approach in our manifesto: https://buff.ly/AAETDYD

25/03/2026

🗓️ UPCOMING GLASGOW TRAINING 🗓️

We still have spaces available on our April-June training courses, delivered both online and in person.

These courses are developed and delivered by SDF and funded by Glasgow City Health and Social Care Partnership & ADP. They are only available to those who work in Glasgow City. If you work outwith this area, visit our Training Calendar for other available courses.

To register or view courses, visit: https://buff.ly/basyDCr

20/03/2026

SDF has launched a new Learning Centre bringing all our training and learning into one place.

If you’re looking for courses, resources or development opportunities, start here:

SDF Learning Centre High-quality, evidence-based training designed to inform, support, and empower anyone engaging with people affected by substance use. Explore Courses A Hub for Learners​ to find Training & Qualifications in Scotland. The SDF Learning Centre is a hub for learners in Scotland to ...

19/03/2026

Join our CEO, Kirsten Horsburgh, as she speaks at the Global Law Enforcement & Public Health Association webinar 'Exploring the Scottish Experience: Reflections from recent Harm Reduction Initiatives' on 17th April 💻

🔗 Sign up now: https://glepha.com/webinar-exploring-the-scottish-experience/

Addressing Europe’s highest drug-related death rates requires bold, trauma-informed, and multi-sectorial action. 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿

With 19.1 fatalities per 100,000 individuals, Scotland currently experiences the most severe drug-related death crisis in Europe (National Records of Scotland, 2024).

To tackle this significant public health challenge, innovative harm reduction initiatives are underway.

Join us in exploring
➖ "The Thistle," Scotland’s first Safer Drug Consumption Facility
➖ Police Scotland’s national Naloxone rollout
➖ Progress, barriers, and enablers of change in Scotland

FREE WEBINAR
Exploring the Scottish Experience: Reflections from recent Harm Reduction Initiatives.

🎤 Expert Speakers:
➖ Gary Ritchie,Partner, Global Consortium Group and Visiting Professor, Edinburgh Napier University
➖ Inga Heyman, Associate Professor (Policing and Public Health) Edinburgh Napier University, Scotland
➖ Kirsten Horsburgh, CEO, Scottish Drugs Forum
➖ Moderator: Dr Tracey Price-Allan, Head of Social Research at Urban Foresight | GLEPHA board member

📅 Friday, 17th April 2026
⏰ 10:00 AM (UK Time)
📍 Online via Zoom (Free)

🔗 To find out more and register: LINK in the comment section below.

—

This webinar is proudly organised by GLEPHA’s Special Interest Group on Law Enforcement and Harm Reduction.

17/03/2026

🎙️ New episode - 40 Years of SDF: A conversation with our founder

For the latest episode of Drugs Uncut, Kirsten and Jason were joined by our former CEO and Founder of Scottish Drugs Forum (SDF), Dave Liddell, who shared insights from our organisation's beginnings and reflected on his time our charity.

Listen now: https://buff.ly/Kjsk8iv

16/03/2026

We call for prevention strategies that:

• Are long-term, multi-decade commitments
• Work across government
• Prioritise early intervention
• Embed substance use within wider anti-poverty, housing and mental-health strategies
• Provide clear frameworks for local partnerships

Read the full manifesto now: https://buff.ly/AAETDYD

12/03/2026

A new strategic plan for drugs and alcohol has been published by the Scottish Government and COSLA. ‘Preventing Harm, Promoting Recovery’ sets out a long-term approach to tacking alcohol and drug harms.

Our CEO, Kirsten Horsburgh, says that we will continue working with communities, services and policymakers to ensure the ambitions set out in this plan are realised in practice – so that, together, we can build a Scotland free from drug-related health and social harm.

Read her statement 👇

A new strategic plan for drugs and alcohol has been published. ‘Preventing Harm, Promoting Recovery’ is a joint initiative from the Scottish Government…

11/03/2026

Our third ask in our 2026 manifesto we call for:

• An end to short-term, stop–start funding
• A national workforce wellbeing commitment
• Fair pay, career development, and recognition of the third sector’s essential role
• A national workforce strategy

Read the full manifesto now: https://buff.ly/AAETDYD