No evidence-based drug policy
Failure to mandate that independent evaluation findings deterministically guide the future of safe drug consumption facilities.
59 items
7 sources
Strongest theme matches
Mixed across source types and ranked by classifier confidence plus text match strength.
Committee recommendation
100match
#19 - Demonstrate an evidence-based approach and consider The Thistle's independent evaluation for policymaking.
The UK Government must demonstrate that it has an evidence-based approach to policy making and will consider the independent evaluation of The Thistle. Any intervention found to be effective at saving lives and reducing harm should not be dismissed. (Recommendation, Paragraph 136)
Matched on
terms: based, evidence, policy
Committee recommendation
95match
#1 - Adopt a balanced, evidence-based approach to tackling problem drug use.
We call on both Governments to adopt a balanced, evidence-based approach to problem drug use. (Conclusion, Paragraph 35)
Matched on
terms: based, drug, evidence
Committee recommendation
92match
#2 - Mandate independent evaluation findings determine future of The Thistle safe drug consumption facility.
We recognise that the opening of The Thistle on a pilot-basis presents an opportunity to test the effectiveness of SDCFs in Glasgow’s unique context. We believe the evidence provided by the independent evaluation panel should be determinative in discussions about The Thistle’s future beyond the three-year pilot. If the evaluation does not demonstrate the facility’s efficacy, it is...
Matched on
terms: drug, evidence
Committee recommendation
77match
#14 - Home Office selectively adopts ACMD advice on drug classification changes.
The ACMD seeks to provide scientific, evidence-based recommendations to support the development of evidence-based drug policy. We note that the Home Office appears more likely to adopt advice to increase the classification of a controlled drug than it is to adopt advice to reduce the classification of a controlled drug. For example, we note that in the cases...
Matched on
terms: based, drug, evidence, policy
Committee recommendation
73match
#1 - Evidence gathered from Home Office, DHSC, and key drug strategy stakeholders.
On the basis of a report by the Comptroller and Auditor General, we took evidence from the Home Office and the Department for Health and Social Care.2 We also took evidence from Dame Carol Black, author of the government’s independent review of drugs; Mike Trace, Chief Executive Officer, Forward Trust; Alice Wiseman, Vice President and Addictions Lead, Association...
Matched on
terms: drug, evidence
Committee recommendation
73match
#18 - Require UK Government to seriously consider evaluation of The Thistle and merits of SDCFs.
The Minister has stated that the UK Government will consider the evidence emerging from the pilot. However, it was clear from the Minister’s evidence that the Home Office will not make legislative changes, even if the evaluation finds that the facility has been effective in meeting its aims. The UK Government should not approach the evaluation having already...
Matched on
terms: drug, evidence
Committee recommendation
69match
#41 - Evidence base required for safe consumption facilities across the United Kingdom.
An evidence base for a safe consumption facility in the UK is needed.
Matched on
terms: evidence
Committee recommendation
68match
#43 - Support Glasgow safe consumption facility pilot, creating legislative pathway and ensuring joint funding.
In particular, we recommend the Government support a pilot in Glasgow by creating a legislative pathway under the Misuse of Drugs Act 1971 that enables such a facility to operate legally. The pilot in Glasgow must be jointly funded by the Government and the Scottish Government. The Government must work with the Scottish Government and local partners to...
Matched on
terms: drug, evidence
Committee recommendation
64match
#14 - Require the Lord Advocate and Scottish Government to consider future inhalation room applications on their merits.
The Lord Advocate believes that widening the statement of prosecution policy to allow an inhalation room to operate is undesirable and we understand the reasons she has given. However, given that expert medical advice suggests that allowing the inhalation of drugs would increase opportunities for harm reduction, any future application for an inhalation room should be considered on...
Matched on
terms: drug, policy
Committee recommendation
64match
#55 - Insufficient evidence on stop and search effectiveness undermines public confidence and policy decisions.
The lack of evidence available about the effectiveness of stop and search in reducing serious violence crime has contributed to scepticism about the basis for using the powers and therefore a lack of confidence in them. The Home Office should fill this evidential gap by commissioning a fully independent and comprehensive research study of stop and search tactics...
Matched on
terms: evidence, policy
PFD report
61match
James Boland
Ketamine's Class B classification falsely portrays it as safer than Class A drugs, encouraging illicit use despite causing severe, life-changing health problems like urological and liver damage.
Matched on
terms: drug
Committee recommendation
60match
#16 - Require UK Government to consider applications for medical equipment exemptions at The Thistle.
If an application for exemptions from the Misuse of Drugs Act 1971 to enable the provision of medical equipment at The Thistle were made by Glasgow City HSCP or the Scottish Government, the UK Government should consider such an application on its merits, as evidence suggests this could enable The Thistle to maximise its effectiveness. (Recommendation, Paragraph 127)
Matched on
terms: drug, evidence
IOPC learning recommendation
59match
Recommendation - College of Policing, February 2025
The IOPC recommends that the College of Policing creates guidance for officers to assist them in understanding the topic of chemsex, and in recognising the signs that an incident may include a chemsex element. Any guidance created should include: This follows an IOPC review of a complaint following local investigation in which the complainant had concerns over the...
Matched on
terms: drug, evidence
PFD report
57match
Bradley Cockel
The drug involved, and several of its chemical compounds, were not fully controlled by legislation, leading to regulatory gaps and potential public health risks.
Matched on
terms: drug
PFD report
57match
Bethany Shipsey
The highly toxic and antidote-less drug DNP is readily available online and popular as a 'diet drug.' There is a lack of legislation making its possession or supply illegal.
Matched on
terms: drug
PFD report
57match
Mohammed Ahmed
Combined use of Olanzapine and Spice caused a fatal allergic reaction, yet Olanzapine continued to be prescribed. Clinicians may lack national awareness of serious drug interactions and side effects with Olanzapine.
Matched on
terms: drug
PFD report
57match
Raymond Lee
Limited national guidance and evidence exist for treating oesophageal strictures, particularly regarding the optimal number of dilatations versus stenting and associated perforation risks.
Matched on
terms: evidence
PFD report
57match
Victoria Storey
A highly potent, illicitly traded synthetic opiate with high fatal overdose risk is not yet controlled as a Class A, Schedule 1 drug, despite official advice for its urgent inclusion.
Matched on
terms: drug
PFD report
57match
Frances Newbury
Paramedics failed to administer Naloxone despite a patient's reported illicit drug use and clear physical signs. This highlights a missed opportunity for potentially life-saving intervention in opiate overdose cases.
Matched on
terms: drug
PFD report
57match
Glenn Lockwood
Insufficient monitoring for Pregabalin abuse in a patient with a known drug abuse history was identified, and the review of record-keeping and prescribing issues for the drug was found to be inadequate.
Matched on
terms: drug
PFD report
57match
Stella LeClaire
The rising number of deaths from a substance sold for suicide raises concerns, emphasizing the need for routine toxicological analysis to improve evidence for potential prosecutions against suppliers.
Matched on
terms: evidence
PFD report
53match
Marc Cole
There is insufficient independent data and understanding regarding the lethality and incremental risks of multiple Taser activations, potentially leading to deficient police training and unsafe use.
Matched on
classifier match
Committee recommendation
53match
#44 - Establish a national drug checking service in England for anonymous postal sample submission.
We recommend that the Home Office and Department of Health and Social Care jointly establish a national drug checking service in England to enable people to submit drug samples by post anonymously. We recommend the Home Office consult stakeholders on how best to implement the service. In particular, we recommend that it learn lessons from the Welsh Government...
Matched on
terms: drug
Committee recommendation
51match
#24 - Investment in research for drivers of substance misuse behaviours remains inadequate
Dame Carol and Ms Wiseman told us that there was little investment in research into the behaviours and factors that lead to substance misuse.80 The JCDU pointed to the £5 million investment in the ‘innovation fund’ which is looking at building evidence around the key area of reducing demand.81 However, departments have committed just £350,000 to research drivers...
Matched on
terms: drug, evidence
PFD report
49match
Howard Jeffers
The inability to accurately analyze and detect novel psychoactive substances (NPS) through toxicological testing poses an ongoing risk of future deaths.
Matched on
classifier match
PFD report
49match
Chester Mossop
The report expresses concern that bath seats may give parents a false sense of security and that parents/carers may not be provided with advice about the safe use of bath seats.
Matched on
classifier match
PFD report
49match
Edward Barnard
A vulnerable young adult illicitly obtained an animal-licensed substance for suicide, highlighting an emerging risk. Licensing bodies and veterinary societies must examine preventive measures to curb access and prevent future deaths.
Matched on
classifier match
PFD report
45match
Matthew Flatman
The slow process of proscribing the "legal high" MDAI/Gogaine poses a fatal risk, particularly to users with cardiac problems, requiring accelerated action.
Matched on
classifier match
PFD report
45match
Anthony Garrett
Readily available and misused synthetic cannabinoids, despite warnings, are dangerous and caused a fatal cardiac event. Concerns were raised about their legal status and control.
Matched on
classifier match
PFD report
45match
Alexander Boamah
A lack of process for clinicians to alert DWP about vulnerable individuals receiving large funds, particularly those without capacity, puts them at high risk of illicit substance misuse.
Matched on
classifier match
PFD report
45match
Samuel Morgan
Patient information leaflets for SSRIs lack immediate, high-impact warnings, such as a "Black Box Warning," to clearly highlight the increased risk of suicidal thinking in young adults.
Matched on
classifier match
PFD report
45match
James Lacey
Harmful substances are easily purchased with less rigorous control than 'regulated poisons,' lacking restrictions like licensing and record-keeping, posing a risk of misuse.
Matched on
classifier match
PFD report
45match
Kayleigh Burns
The report raises the issue of whether the present legal framework concerning Nitrous Oxide should be reviewed, in light of this death, having regard to the seemingly increasing use of Nitrous Oxide particularly by young persons.
Matched on
classifier match
PFD report
45match
Sienna Barber
Lack of national guidance for diagnosing and treating Group A Streptococcus, particularly for high-risk groups like children under 5, and the absence of rapid antigen testing for under 5s, creates diagnostic delays.
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classifier match
PFD report
45match
Sean Crawford
There is a critical lack of specific medical and official guidance regarding the fatal risks associated with combining clozapine with alcohol.
Matched on
classifier match
PFD report
45match
Louise Jones
The GP practice lacked a treatment strategy and policies for long-term opioid prescriptions, including warning flags for addiction risk and guidance on co-prescribing opioids with benzodiazepines.
Matched on
classifier match
PFD report
45match
Hannah Aitken
The increasing use of for self-harm is not centrally monitored, and current legislation fails to control the import and availability of substances used for poisoning, despite known risks.
Matched on
classifier match
PFD report
45match
Joshua Leatham-Prosser
Ketamine is easily accessible, perceived as less harmful by teenagers, and its highly addictive nature causes severe, irreversible bladder damage (ketamine cystitis), trapping users in a cycle of dependence.
Matched on
classifier match
Committee recommendation
44match
#42 - Support piloting of safe consumption facilities in areas of demonstrated local need.
We recommend that the Government support the piloting of safe consumption facilities in areas across the UK where there is deemed to be a need by local government and stakeholders.
Matched on
classifier match
NAO recommendation
44match
Childhood obesity
The Department should establish a robust evidence base, commissioning further research if necessary, of what works to establish which interventions in the programme and actions by local authorities work best to reduce childhood obesity.
Matched on
terms: evidence
Committee recommendation
44match
#9 - Set online slots stake limits to match land-based machines and not exceed £5
The high degree of accessibility of online slots negates the additional protection provided by account-based play. Setting a limit for online slots at the same level as Category B gaming machines, at between £2 and £5, takes account of the risk of harm and will impact only around 1% of gamblers. We recommend that stake limits for online...
Matched on
terms: based
LGO / SPSO decision
43match
21-011-449 - Cambridgeshire County Council
Summary: Mr X complained about support for drug dependence for his late relative Mr Y. The Council which commissioned Change Grow Live, was at fault because there was no review of Mr Y’s long-term prescription of diazepam, no audit of the file and a failure to deal with a request for records within legal timescales in the Access...
Matched on
terms: drug
Committee recommendation
41match
#4 - Review the application of Neither Confirm Nor Deny in all legacy related cases
The Government should review, in consultation with MI5 and the PSNI, the application of NCND in all legacy related cases, considering specifically the principles outlined in this Report. (Recommendation, Paragraph 21) 11
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classifier match
Committee recommendation
41match
#10 - Revise fuel poverty definition to include homes meeting minimum energy efficiency standards
In the forthcoming Fuel Poverty Strategy, we recommend that the Government revise the official definition of fuel poverty to reflect the fact that those living in homes compliant with the new Minimum Energy Efficiency Standard may still struggle to heat their homes sufficiently. (Recommendation, Paragraph 43)
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classifier match
Committee recommendation
39match
#16 - Conduct a scoping exercise to assess public support for a paramilitary group transition process.
We have heard evidence both for and against the establishment of formal process of Group Transition. On the one hand, we are concerned that a Group Transition process aimed at the disbandment of paramilitary groups could inadvertently risk reinforcing the status of such groups and fail to displace the coercive control they hold over some communities. On the...
Matched on
terms: evidence
Committee recommendation
39match
#11 - Undertake updated analysis of paramilitary activity to inform national security strategy scope in Northern Ireland.
There is a live debate as to whether the current scope of national security, as it relates to Northern Ireland, should be revised to include threats other than those to democracy and the state, such as paramilitary activity like drug dealing, extortion and murder, to enable greater joint working between law enforcement agencies in Northern Ireland and security...
Matched on
terms: drug
Committee recommendation
39match
#18 - Government lacks evidence on optimal prosecution levels needed for fraud deterrence.
On the deterrence effect of convictions and whether there is a sufficient level of convictions to create a suitable deterrent, the PSFA told us that it was not aware of any evidence to indicate what the right level of prosecutions would be to create a deterrent.56 After our evidence session, the Cabinet Office wrote to us providing us...
Matched on
terms: evidence
Committee recommendation
36match
#12 - Inconsistent outcome measures for prisoners with substance misuse needs hinder effective evaluation.
We asked MoJ and HMPPS about how successful outcomes for prisoners with substance misuse needs are measured. HMPPS told us there is range of things that could 18 Committee of Public Accounts, Mental health in prisons, Eighth Report of Session 2017–19, HC 400, 13 December 2017 19 C&AG’s Report, para 22 20 Q63; C&AG’s Report, para 2.12 21...
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classifier match
NAO recommendation
35match
Support for vulnerable adolescents
We recommend that those central government departments involved should, through formal governance, work together to: b) address the gaps in the evidence base of what interventions work to support vulnerable adolescents;
Matched on
terms: evidence
Committee recommendation
32match
#17 - Paramilitary groups are fragmented; sub-group transition concept requires further development and consideration.
Paramilitary groups do not resemble cohesive units, rather they are composed of sub-groups that vary in location, strength of affiliation and level of criminal activity. We have heard that some sub-groups are readying themselves for transition, whilst others show little appetite to transition away from criminality. We see some merit in the argument that a process facilitating those...
Matched on
classifier match