The introduction of the From harm to hope strategy has led to positive change. The appointment of a Combating Drugs minister and the nomination of the Home Office permanent secretary as senior responsible owner, alongside the creation of the Joint Combating Drugs Unit (JCDU), has improved coordination across six departments.21 Further, the creation of 106 new combating drugs partnerships has increased collaboration and accountability at a local level.22 We heard from Dame Carol and Mr Trace that these new structures were welcome and created the right “architecture” to implement the strategy, with stronger linkages between local and national government. The JCDU has done a good job so far, including articulating the strategy’s long-term outcomes, but Dame Carol considered that the JCDU needed strengthening as it was under resourced.23