The study explored how National Mission funding has been used and whether it has been invested in treatments that are effective and cost effective.

The researchers examined how National Mission funding was allocated and used locally. They also reviewed international evidence on the effectiveness and cost effectiveness of treatments supported through the National Mission.

The treatments reviewed were:

• take-home naloxone
• safer drug consumption facilities
• opioid substitution therapy
• psychosocial interventions
• detoxification services
• stabilisation facilities
• residential rehabilitation

Key findings

• Significant investment has been made in alcohol and drug services during the first 5 years of the National Mission. Total funding increased from £140.7 million in 2021/22 to around £162 million in 2025/26. National Mission funding accounted for around one-third of this total.
• It was difficult to track exactly how National Mission funding was spent on specific treatments at a local level. In many areas, National Mission funding was combined with other funding streams or used to enhance existing services.
• Much of the funding was invested in services for which there is strong review-level evidence that they are effective and cost effective in reducing drug-related deaths, non-fatal overdoses and problematic drug use. This includes for example take-home naloxone and opioid substitution therapy.
• There is limited review-level evidence on the effectiveness or cost effectiveness of psychosocial interventions, detoxification services, residential rehabilitation and stabilisation facilities. Limited evidence does not mean these interventions are ineffective. It means there is currently insufficient evidence to draw firm conclusions about their impact.
• Treatments are rarely delivered in isolation. This makes it difficult to assess the cost effectiveness of individual interventions.