Report Summary
This report provides members of the Forensic Services Committee with an overview of Long-Term Sustainable Model – Resource Update.
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Meeting
The publication discussed was referenced in the meeting below
Forensic Services Committee - 30 October 2025
Date : 30 October 2025
Location : Online
Implication Detail
There are significant implications for the public and road users in Scotland given the high levels of drug driving which have been identified since the introduction of the legislation in 2019. Testing indicates that around half of all roadside tests conducted are positive for drugs over the legal limit set out in the law. Drug driving is now more prevalent that drink driving as a potential contributing factor to roadside fatalities and serious incidents.
There are significant financial implications associated with the LTSM given the scale of the additional capacity required and the requirement for a new laboratory in which to house additional staff and instrumentation.
The workforce will need to grow to allow for the additional toxicology staff to deliver the extra capacity required. These staff will need a fit for purpose environment to work within, there is insufficient space within the existing laboratory in Howden Hall in Edinburgh to support this and the sensitive and complex instrumentation required to deliver the service safely and with appropriate controls.
