Charter of Rights for People Affected by Substance Use in Scotland

The Charter of Rights sets out the rights you have in Scotland if you are affected by drugs or alcohol, or if someone close to you is. It explains what those rights mean, and what you can expect from the services that support you.

The Charter was created by the National Collaborative, which brought together people with experience of using drugs or alcohol, their families and carers, services and national organisations.

The National Collaborative is independent from government, but was supported by the Scottish Government and facilitated by the Health and Social Care Alliance Scotland.

We host the Charter here so it has a stable home and is easy to find. It belongs to everyone - both people seeking to claim their rights and those working to uphold them - not to any single organisation.

Watch the Charter of Rights explained

Key Rights

The Charter sets out seven rights that matter most if you or someone close to you is affected by drugs or alcohol. Those are:

Right to life
Right to the highest attainable standard of physical and mental health
Right to an adequate standard of living
Right to private and family life
Right to a healthy environment
Freedom from torture and other cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment
Freedom from arbitrary arrest or detention

Find out what each right means and what to expect from services.

Know your rights and what they mean

Understand each right and what to expect from services.

If your rights aren't being met

Find out how to raise a concern, get advocacy support or make a complaint.

Terri Kelly Withyou Glasgow April24 018 (1)

Using the Charter in your work

Practical guidance for services and professionals on applying the Charter day to day.

See the Charter in action

Real examples of the Charter making a difference for people and services.

Karen Elliot Withyou Glasgow April24 005 (1)

Created in partnership

The National Collaborative brought together people affected by drugs or alcohol, their families, services and national organisations to develop the Charter. The work was supported by the Scottish Government.