Optimise the use of Medication-Assisted Treatment (MAT)
Medication-Assisted Treatment (MAT) is used to refer to the use of medication, such as opioids, together with any psychological and social support, in the treatment and care of individuals who experience problems with their drug use.
Based on the evidence that Medication Assisted Treatment (MAT) is protective against the risk of death, the Scottish Drug Deaths Taskforce and the Scottish Government has prioritised the implementation of MAT standards for people experiencing problems with their drug use.
The standards aim to ensure that MAT is safe, effective, acceptable, accessible and person centred.
New treatment standards for services and organisations that support people with a drug problem in Scotland have now been published, and the Scottish Government is working to ensure their implementation.
In June 2022, Public Health Scotland produced a benchmarking report on the progress that alcohol and drug partnerships in Scotland are making to meet the MAT standards. The report is available here: National benchmarking report on implementation of the Medication Assisted Treatment (MAT) standards – National benchmarking report on implementation of the Medication Assisted Treatment (MAT) standards – Publications – Public Health Scotland
How the rapid implementation of the new standards can help save lives.
Everyone who needs treatment should expect the same response wherever they are in Scotland. Working to ensure access to the right treatment, when it’s needed, and where its needed, marks a step-change in tackling drug-related deaths.
How we hope the new MAT Standards will be viewed and used.
What can we expect as the implementation of the new standards is rolled out across Scotland? How can we collaborate, share learnings and ensure consistency as they are put into practice?
Why the new MAT Care Standards are such a vital development
The publication of Scotland’s MAT Standards is a significant landmark in the Taskforce response to the challenge of tackling drug related deaths. Rapid implementation of the standards across all touchpoints will help save lives.
What are MAT Standards; Why do they matter?
How establishing best practice in Medication Assisted treatment, and making it widely available across Scotland, can reduce the risk of fatal overdose.
Getting a consistency in M.A.T. delivery across Scotland, where ‘best practice’ is implemented across every areas and agency, would represent a real step forward in preventing harm and saving lives.
Our final recommendations
Our final report was broken down into 4 chapters.
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