In an assessment of ways to overcome the challenges of rurality, submitted by Alcohol and Drug Partnerships in several rural areas to Public Health Scotland, a number of collaborative and innovative actions were described.These included:Increased use of non-statutory services, informal local networks and peers to engage and support people, thus freeing up capacity to deliver rapid access and ensuring that staff can work at highest level within their bandingUtilising generic primary and secondary care staff and settings to deliver care for example when weather disrupts usual accessDevelopment of more generic pathways for all drugs and alcohol referrals (given in many places the same staff deal with these issues)Some areas now have formal arrangements with other Health Boards to utilise 82 guidelines (Shetland and NHS Grampian), and to share expertise (Western Isles and Borders) S6W-33669