Substances Support Scotland appointed to provide alcohol and drug support services across Fife

Substances Support Scotland (SSS) has been commissioned to provide alcohol and drug support services across Fife.

The new Assertive Outreach and Recovery service began on Thursday 1st October 2026 following a thorough review process, led by Fife Alcohol and Drug Partnership (ADP).

Local organisation Substances Support Scotland (SSS) was formed when Fife Alcohol Support Service (FASS) and Fife alcohol and drug triage service ADAPT came together to create a single organisation focused on supporting people affected by alcohol and drug use.

It will bring together support that is currently provided by several organisations into one joined-up service, making it easier for people to get help when they need it.

The review was carried out because demand for alcohol and drug support continues to increase.

It provided an opportunity to look at how services are delivered and how they can best meet the needs of people, families and communities now and in the years ahead.

The new service will offer practical support for people affected by alcohol or drug use and will bring support closer to people in their communities.

This includes advice, assessment, help to access treatment, support to reduce harm, and support for recovery as well as a focus on reaching people who may struggle to access help or stay connected with it.

Work is already under way to minimise any potential disruption and there will be no immediate changes for people currently receiving support.

Arrangements will be put in place to make sure people continue to receive the help they need during the transition.

Karen Marwick, Head of Complex and Critical Care Services for Fife Health and Social Care Partnership, said: "As demand for services continues to grow, we need services that are effective, sustainable and able to respond to changing needs.

"We carried out a rigorous assessment of potential providers, looking at the quality of support they could offer, how they would meet future demand and how they would deliver good outcomes for people, families and communities.

"We are delighted to announce that Substances Support Scotland will be the organisation to take those aims forward.

"Bringing services together under one lead provider will help create clearer routes into support and a more joined-up experience for people accessing help. Our focus throughout has been on making services easier to access and ensuring people receive the right support at the right time."

Recent figures published by National Records of Scotland (NRS) report in 2025 there were 60 drug related deaths in Fife, a fall in 13% from the previous year's figures, the second year in a row Fife has reported a decrease.

Karen Marwick added: “Behind every statistic is a person, a family and a community affected by loss. While we are encouraged by signs of progress in the figures reported for Fife, we know there is no room for complacency.

"Drug-related harm remains a major public health challenge, and we are committed to responding with compassion, respect and urgency working alongside people with lived experience to reduce harm, improve access to care, save lives and support recovery."

John Hamilton, Chair of SSS, said: "We know people badly affected are also often dealing with financial, housing, trauma or physical health issues, not to mention stigma. We will be making sure people who need us stay connected, while working with the ADP and other specialist partners across Fife so that everyone reaches the joined-up support they need."

Anyone concerned about their own drug or alcohol use, or that of someone they care about can access confidential help and support locally through NHS Fife and partner services.

People can refer themselves to the new service, and professionals can also make referrals, at https://substancessupportscotland.secureserversites.net/make-a-referral