Drugs

Home Affairs Committee Closed Inquiry
Opened: 10 Feb 2022 Closed: 1 Feb 2024 Parliament page
The focus of the inquiry is on illegal drug use and its effects on society and the economy. The inquiry considers the UK’s legislative framework on drugs and UK drug policy. The framework refers to, for example: the Misuse of Drugs Act 1971; the Psychoactive Substances Act 2016; and, where … Read more
38 Recommendations
33 Conclusions
1 Report
6 Oral sessions
4 Letters
6 Events
Activity timeline 18 events
14 Nov
2023
Report published
31 Aug
2023
Report published
22 Feb
2023
Oral evidence
22 Feb
2023
Formal meeting (oral evidence session) · The Grimond Room, Portcullis House
23 Nov
2022
Correspondence
2 Nov
2022
Correspondence
27 Oct
2022
Correspondence
27 Oct
2022
Correspondence
29 Jun
2022
Oral evidence
29 Jun
2022
Formal meeting (oral evidence session) · Room 16, Palace of Westminster
15 Jun
2022
Oral evidence
15 Jun
2022
Formal meeting (oral evidence session) · The Grimond Room, Portcullis House
Oral evidence sessions 6 sessions
22 Feb 2023
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Angela Constance · Scottish Government Caroline Hart · Home Office Marcus Starling · Home Office Rt Hon Chris Philp MP · Home Office
29 Jun 2022
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Charlie Doyle · British Transport Police Dr Jack Spicer · University of the West of England Dr Richard Lewis · National Police Chiefs’ Council and Chief Constable of Dyfed-Powys Police Junior Smart OBE · St Giles Trust Nicky Hill · Abianda Steve Rodhouse · National Crime Agency
15 Jun 2022
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Andy Dunbobbin · Police and Crime Commissioner for North Wales David Sidwick David Thorne · South Wales Police John Campbell QPM · Thames Valley Police Serena Kennedy · Merseyside Police Zoe Metcalfe
25 May 2022
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Councillor Joanne Harding · Local Government Association Maggie Boreham · Hackney Council Professor Dame Carol Black · Combating Drugs Professor Jim McManus · Hertfordshire County Council
18 May 2022
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Dr Emily Finch · Advisory Council on the Misuse of Drugs Dr Owen Bowden-Jones · Advisory Council on the Misuse of Drugs Professor David Nutt · Imperial College, London Professor Jo Neill · Manchester University Professor Ornella Corazza · Hertfordshire University Professor Roger Knaggs · Advisory Council on the Misuse of Drugs Professor Stuart Reece · University of Western Australia
27 Apr 2022
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Chloe Hartnell · Hodge Jones and Allen LLP Dr Karenza Moore · Newcastle University Dr Kojo Koram · Birkbeck College, University of London Martin Powell · Transform Drug Policy Foundation Niamh Eastwood · Release Rudi Fortson QC · 25 Bedford Row Chambers
Title HC No. Published Items Response
Third Report - Drugs HC 198 31 Aug 2023 71 Responded
Recommendations & Conclusions
8 results
Clear
18 Conclusion Acknowledged
Third Report - Drugs
Government’s 10-Year Drugs Strategy is a welcome step with increased funding.
We welcome the Government’s efforts to recognise and respond to the issues in Professor Dame Carol Black’s Independent Review of Drugs and we welcome the ambition of the 10-Year Drugs Strategy. In particular, we welcome the cross- departmental and partnership … Read more
Government Response
The government acknowledged the committee's welcome for the 10-Year Drugs Strategy and reiterated its three strategic priorities: breaking supply chains, building a world-class treatment system, and reducing demand, underpinned by over £3 billion investment.
Home Office
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34 Recommendation Acknowledged
Third Report - Drugs
Implement report recommendations on harm reduction, especially expanding drug diversion schemes for offenders.
We recommend the Government build on the harm reduction measures within the strategy by implementing the recommendations on harm reduction outlined in this report, particularly our recommendations on expanding diversion schemes.
Government Response
The government states it accepts the recommendations, detailing its existing whole-system approach under the Drug Strategy and investments in early intervention programs, but does not specify new actions to build on harm reduction measures or expand diversion schemes.
Home Office
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38 Conclusion Acknowledged
Third Report - Drugs
Project ADDER's holistic, partnership approach demonstrates effective joint drug policy responsibility.
We found that the holistic, partnership approach adopted by the Project ADDER pilot has been largely well received. We conclude that Project ADDER demonstrates how effective joint responsibility for drug policy between the Home Office and the Department of Health … Read more
Government Response
The government welcomes the committee's recognition of Project ADDER's success and affirms that its whole-systems approach, overseen by the Home Office and OHID, aligns with the ambitions of the 10-year Drug Strategy.
Home Office
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47 Conclusion Acknowledged
Third Report - Drugs
Long-acting buprenorphine shows encouraging results for opioid treatment in Wales.
We welcome the 10-Year Drug Strategy’s recognition of the potential positive impact of long-acting buprenorphine. We think that the use of Buvidal in Wales has provided a very encouraging UK evidence base and proved that it is an effective form … Read more
Government Response
The government acknowledged the conclusion, stating it accepts this and related recommendations, and highlighted its ongoing efforts through the 10-year Drug Strategy and additional funding to improve drug and alcohol treatment services, including access to a range of treatment options.
Home Office
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63 Conclusion Acknowledged
Third Report - Drugs
Extend trauma-informed policing approaches to all situations involving drug use.
We welcome the increasing adoption of trauma-informed approaches by UK police forces. As drug use—particularly problematic or chronic drug use, can often be a consequence of trauma—we conclude that trauma-informed policing should be extended to situations involving drug use. We … Read more
Government Response
The government welcomes the committee's recognition of trauma-informed practice, clarifies its existing investment figures, and states that further pilots, research, and evaluation are needed to understand effectiveness before significant scaling up of these approaches.
Home Office
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67 Conclusion Acknowledged
Third Report - Drugs
Potential therapeutic value of cannabis-based medicinal products for chronic pain.
There is evidence of the potential therapeutic value of CBPMs to treat chronic pain.
Government Response
The government accepts the conclusion regarding the potential therapeutic value of CBPMs for chronic pain and outlines existing pathways for researchers to seek advice and apply for competitive funding for randomised control trials. They also highlight current NICE recommendations against routine use due to insufficient evidence.
Home Office
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69 Conclusion Acknowledged
Third Report - Drugs
Concerns about harms of non-medical cannabis use, rejecting legalisation for youth safety.
We are concerned by the harms that cannabis for non-medical use may pose, particularly in relation to young people. We do not believe that cannabis should be legalised and regulated for non-medical use. (Paragraph 243) Drugs 81 Northern Ireland
Government Response
The government shares the Committee’s concerns about the harms of cannabis for non-medical use and confirms it does not intend to legalise or regulate it, citing scientific and medical evidence of health risks.
Home Office
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70 Conclusion Acknowledged
Third Report - Drugs
Paramilitary drug crime and political stalemate hinder Northern Ireland's drug response.
We are deeply concerned by the role paramilitary groups play in organised drug crime in Northern Ireland, and the impact that this has on local communities, children and young people. We are also deeply concerned by the effect the current … Read more
Government Response
The government acknowledges the committee's concerns about paramilitary groups and the political stalemate in Northern Ireland, outlining ongoing financial commitments to anti-paramilitarism efforts. It also clarifies devolved responsibilities for drug policy and commits to strengthening UK-wide collaboration, with a ministerial meeting planned.
Home Office
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Government Response AI assessment · 71 of 38 classified
Accepted 22
Accepted in Part 14
Acknowledged 8
Deferred 7
Not Addressed 3
Rejected 17
Total 38 recs + 33 conclusions
Correspondence 4 letters
23 Nov 2022 To committee Letter from Minister for Crime, Policing and Fire on the Middlesbrough DAT programme, dated 11 November 2022
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2 Nov 2022 To committee Letter from Public Health, Middlesbrough Council on closure of the Middlesbrough Diamorphine-Assisted Treatment programme, dated 31 October 2022
Parliament page
27 Oct 2022 From committee Letter to the Minister for Policing and Crime on closure of Middlesbrough Diamorphine-Assisted Treatment programme, dated 27 October 2022
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27 Oct 2022 From committee Letter to Project ADDER on closure of Middlesbrough diamorphine assisted treatment programme, dated 27 October 2022
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