Drug and alcohol minister Elena Whitham resigns for health reasons

Resignation comes after she ‘experienced a series of events leading to post traumatic stress’ over past year

Scotland’s drugs minister has announced she is quitting the job as she revealed she is being treated for post-traumatic stress.

Elena Whitham told First Minister Humza Yousaf she was stepping down as drugs and alcohol policy minister to help with her wellbeing.

She said the job, and her previous role in the Scottish Government as community safety minister, had been the “greatest honour”, as she tendered her resignation for health reasons.

Elena Whitham has resigned as the Scottish Government's drugs and alcohol policy minister. Picture: John Devlin

In her letter to the First Minister, Ms Whitham, a former women’s aid worker, said: “Over the last year I experienced a series of events leading to post-traumatic stress, which has impacted my wellbeing greatly and for which I am receiving treatment.

“I have sought to undertake my role in your government diligently and with the passion and focus that it requires. Sadly, after much soul searching, it is apparent to me that I must regrettably resign from my ministerial role, so that I am able to look after my wellbeing and ensure my constituents of Carrick, Cumnock and Doon Valley continue to be represented assiduously.”

Ms Whitham joined the Scottish Government in November 2022, taking over as community safety minister when Ash Regan quit the post so she could vote against controversial gender recognition reforms at Holyrood.

A reshuffle after Mr Yousaf took over as First Minister in March last year then saw Ms Whitham become drugs and alcohol policy minister.

Mr Yousaf thanked her for her efforts in tackling drug and alcohol deaths in Scotland.

The First Minister said he was “greatly saddened” that personal ill health meant Ms Whitham could not “continue to give the role the focus that you would wish to”.

He told her: “I wanted you to be aware of how greatly I have valued your efforts to tackle alcohol and drug-related deaths – not least the work to take forward proposals for reviewing drug laws.”

Praising her “dedication” in her previous community safety post, the First Minister added: “I believe our government has been enriched by your efforts and the experience that you have brought into public life.”

A new drugs and alcohol minister will be appointed in due course, the Scottish Government said.

Scottish Labour Deputy Leader Jackie Baillie said "This is sad news and cannot have been an easy decision. I wish Elena all the best and look forward to working with her more in the future.”

SNP MP Alison Thewliss wrote on X: “I am so sorry to hear @ElenaWhitham is stepping back – she has been a diligent and compassionate minister, and I wish her all the very best.”

Former transport minister Kevin Stewart, who himself resigned from the Scottish Government in June last year due to poor mental health, posted on social media: "So very sad to hear that Elena has stepped down, but understand her reasons for doing so. Elena was a fantastic Cosla spokesperson and a great minister.”

Ms Whitham’s resignation comes as the Scottish Government continues to battle a high rate of drug deaths. Figures released in December showed there were 900 suspected drug deaths during the first nine months of 2023 – 13 per cent (103) more than during the same period of 2022.