Across Scotland, families and friends are facing the heartbreak of losing loved ones to drugs and alcohol. The See Beyond Scotland campaign is on a mission to challenge the deep-rooted drug death stigma and alcohol death stigma that too often adds shame to that loss. This spring, their bold and moving roadshow will hit Glasgow and Edinburgh, inviting the public to connect with personal stories, learn, and help drive change.

Shedding light on drug death stigma and alcohol death stigma

Scotland’s record on alcohol and drug-related deaths is sobering. According to National Records of Scotland, 2023 saw 1,277 alcohol-specific deaths (the highest since 2008) and 1,172 drug-related deaths, a 12% increase from the previous year. Men continue to account for around two thirds of these tragic losses, with most of the recent rise coming from male deaths.

Despite the numbers, the real story is felt in the lives left shattered by these losses. “The stigma surrounding deaths due to drugs and alcohol is still strong and it is only by challenging the stereotypes people bring to substance use, that the shame can be reduced,” said Dr Hannah Carver, Senior Lecturer in Substance Use and Co-Director of the Salvation Army Centre for Addiction Services and Research at the University of Stirling.

See Beyond Scotland campaign goes on the road

Launched by the University of Stirling and the Salvation Army Centre for Addiction Services and Research in May 2023, the See Beyond Scotland campaign has garnered national attention for its empathetic approach. Furthermore, with support from the Scottish Government and collaboration with groups such as Scottish Families Affected by Alcohol and Drugs (SFAD) and Scottish Health Action on Alcohol Problems (SHAAP), the campaign is now expanding through a series of impactful roadshows.

Moreover, the campaign isn’t stopping with universities and libraries. This April, See Beyond Scotland will take its anti-stigma message directly into the heart of the public. Specifically, the roadshow will visit Glasgow’s Central Station on 3 April (10am–2pm) and Edinburgh’s Waverley Station on 4 April (10am–2pm), bringing poignant visual and audio displays into some of Scotland’s busiest spaces.

Bringing personal stories out of the shadows

At the centre of the roadshow are the voices of those most affected. Participants in the See Beyond Scotland campaign, including families and friends who have suffered loss, share their experiences through video recordings, personal letters, and heartfelt interviews.The See Beyond website has attracted over 2,000 visitors so far, featuring many stories and tributes for people to explore and learn more.

MSPs Miles Briggs and Monica Lennon have added their own voices, each sharing letters to their late fathers, who both died due to alcohol use. Their brave public honesty is helping to dismantle the barriers of silence and shame that have surrounded substance-related deaths in Scotland.

Why tackling stigma matters

The campaign’s focus on storytelling aims to replace judgement with compassion. Stigma can prevent people from seeking help, isolate families, and fuel negative attitudes in society and the media.

Dr Carver emphasises, “We received a tremendous reaction when we launched the See Beyond campaign but now it’s time to strengthen our engagement with public roadshows.” By engaging people across Scotland, the team behind See Beyond Scotland wants to “challenge the stereotypes people bring to substance use, so the shame can be reduced.”

How the public can take action

The events encourage people to participate through interactive displays and personal story booths. The campaign also invites online engagement. On the See Beyond Scotland website, visitors can read and view family stories, sign a pledge to use respectful and non-judgemental language, and access further resources to better support those affected by addiction and loss.

A similar project in Canada inspires the campaign, aiming to set a new standard for how Scotland talks about and responds to substance use bereavement.

Raising awareness, sparking change

Deaths linked to drugs and alcohol are rising in Scotland. Male drug-related deaths almost doubled in the last six years, while male alcohol deaths rose by 25 over the past year, according to National Records of Scotland. These numbers are not just statistics; they are fathers, mothers, siblings, and friends.

See Beyond Scotland is building momentum for a kinder, more informed Scotland. Every person who listens, learns, or takes the pledge helps break down the wall of stigma and makes it easier for those struggling to reach out.

Source: dbrecoveryresources