The National Collaborative launches the Charter of Rights for People Affected by Substance Use

What is the National Collaborative?

In January 2022, Scotland’s First Minister invited Professor Alan Miller, a proven human rights leader, to become independent Chair and build the National Collaborative.

The National Collaborative’s vision is to integrate human rights into drug and alcohol policy leading to better outcomes for people affected by substance use.

Independent from government, the National Collaborative developed an approach to bring together:

1. A Change Team of people affected by substance use and their families (rights holders), independent advocates (rights defenders), service providers (duty bearers) and regulators to co-design a Charter of Rights.
2. NC Network – an extensive network including individuals, organisations and groups who provide advice and extend the reach of the National Collaborative. 

The charter, the first of its kind in the world, will help ensure people know their rights and the support they can expect to receive, and that those who use drugs and alcohol, and their families, are treated with dignity.

It contains key human rights – mostly drawn from national and international law - belonging to people affected by substance use, most importantly the right to the highest attainable standard of physical and mental health, along with the right to an adequate standard of living and the right to a healthy environment.

If you would like to know more, please visit the Alliance Scotland website:

Read more and download the The Charter of Rights for People Affected by Substance Use