The Scottish Government has been clear that, as a nation, we must take radical action to tackle the scourge of drink, drugs and deprivation.
Last week's Audit Scotland report laid bare the damaging legacy of drug and alcohol on our people and our communities.
We are making record investments in drug and alcohol treatment, alongside education, prevention and enforcement work.
Our policy direction is clear, as set out in the Alcohol Framework published earlier this month and in the National Drugs Strategy launched last May and subsequently endorsed by Parliament.
The drugs strategy sets a clear focus on achieving recovery - with a broad range of services being available to meet each individual's needs and help them move towards a drug-free life, as active, contributing members of society.
We will shortly respond to the Delivery Reform Group proposals to strengthen how alcohol and drug treatment services are commissioned, delivered and evaluated.
When I asked Audit Scotland to review this area, I was clear that we must work collectively to ensure the significant public money involved is invested wisely and focused on achieving the outcomes which we agree must be achieved.
But in turning around the human misery caused by substance misuse, we must also turn around those attitudes which hold us back.
All of us working to tackle the misuse of drugs are in no doubt about the often considerable challenges which we face. We are rightly realistic. But we must never be fatalistic.
One of the most rewarding aspects of my job is meeting many courageous people who have or are battling addiction and have recovered their lives. I'm pleased to be meeting some of them today.
They are testament to the fact that drug addiction and alcohol dependency are neither inevitable nor irreversible.
While negative news travels fast, people rarely hear the many positive stories - where effective services and inspiring individuals combine to prove that drug users can and do recover and lead healthy, productive lives, contributing greatly to their communities.
That message was clear when I travelled the country after launching the drugs strategy. It is such testimonies which drive me to ensure that the strategy, with its focus on recovery, becomes a reality right across the country.
If we are to rid Scotland of its poor health record, to begin to turn around reoffending rates and to secure our economic advantage, a key part of these endeavours must be to ensure that those struggling with drug and alcohol problems are supported effectively.
Just as we don't dismiss our own friends, relatives, colleagues or neighbours struggling with their problems, whether related to debt, mental health or indeed substance misuse, we mustn't allow anyone to write off our citizens simply because they are battling addiction.
The truth is that drug addiction and alcohol dependency are neither inevitable nor irreversible.
And by ensuring our strategy and investment are delivered with a greater focus on outcomes, we can help more drug users to find recovery, better support people to overcome alcohol problems and secure a safer, stronger and healthier Scotland for all our people.
Fergus Ewing MSP
Minister for Community Safety
March 30, 2009