The Scottish Government published the new drug strategy – The Road to Recovery in May 2008. Within the strategy it stated:

The Government will set in train a number of actions to achieve a shared understanding of how to promote and support recovery, including the following: build the capacity of advocacy services, to help service users choose the treatment that is right for them.   

The SIAA has been working with the Scottish Government Drug Policy Unit to support this action point. 

The aims of the project are - 

• To identify what advocacy work is already happening with people with drug dependency problems.
• To raise awareness amongst those with drug dependency problems and relevant agencies enhancing their understanding of advocacy and the need for advocacy for this group.
• To raise awareness amongst Health Boards and Local Authorities of the importance of funding advocacy services for people with drug dependency problems.