Wednesday January 21st 2026
MELD has operated from Number 11, in Dalkeith, supporting people with substance and alcohol abuse and their families.
Written by Local Democracy Reporter, Marie Sharp
A charity which has helped families deal with drug and alcohol abuse for more than three decades has announced its decision to close.
Midlothian and East Lothian Drugs (MELD) has worked with health and social care partnerships across the two counties for 32 years but in a statement put on social media this week manager Dave Gasparini said a review of the organisation’s ability to continue operating “within its current regulatory and financial framework” had led to the planned closure.
He added: “In particular the organisation is no longer able to secure an employment-related insurance required to carry out its functions.
“As a result the board has concluded that it is not possible for the charity to continue delivering services in a way that meets funder, partner and regulatory expectations, or the standards the organisation sets for itself.”
The charity worked from offices in Dalkeith and Musselburgh providing support and a range of services alongside council and health partners.
Both Midlothian and East Lothian Health and Social Care Partnerships said they had taken steps to find an alternative provider as soon as they were informed of the closure.
Morag Barrow, chief officers with Midlothian Health and Social Care Partnership (MHSCP), paid tribute to the charity’s support over the years.
Ms Barrow said: “Supporting individuals through drug and alcohol recovery is a key priority for MHSCP to help reduce health inequalities.
“We are incredibly grateful to MELD for the numerous structured recovery and community peer support programmes they have delivered.
“Our focus is securing an alternative provider to ensure these vital services continue to be available so individuals currently or seeking to receive assistance with substance use are able to do so easily and effectively.”
A spokesperson for East Lothian Health and Social Care Partnership said they were also seeking an alternative provider adding: “The substance use services delivered by NHS Lothian will continue to be delivered by the specialist team based at the Esk Centre in Musselburgh, and clinics in GP practices across East Lothian.”
MELD said services would close on March 31.
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