Recommendations & Conclusions
22 items
1
Conclusion
Third Report - Drugs
Accepted
There is increasing support for public health responses as a tool to respond to drugs, and the adoption of such responses are within the spirit of the Drug Control Conventions.
Government response. The government states its existing Drug Strategy already delivers a balanced approach combining public health and criminal justice responses, backed by significant funding and existing initiatives like the Joint Combating Drugs Unit and harm reduction programmes.
Home Office
2
Recommendation
Third Report - Drugs
Accepted
We recommend that the Government balances its criminal justice response to drugs with an increased public health response that seeks to prevent and treat drug use and tackle the root causes of drug use through, for example, a broad range of harm reduction approaches.
Government response. The government claims its current legislative framework and Drug Strategy already provide a balanced public health and criminal justice response, supported by significant investment and existing initiatives to prevent, treat, and reduce drug-related harms.
Home Office
8
Conclusion
Third Report - Drugs
Accepted
We recognise that the Psychoactive Substances Act 2016 was enacted to deal with the surge in new psychoactive substances (NPS) and the related health harms. We note that it was successful in removing the open sale of NPS but are concerned with the use of NPS among vulnerable populations, such …
Government response. The government describes existing legislation and ongoing measures, including the completion of the £100m Security Investment Programme and the deployment of drug trace detection units and X-ray scanners, to tackle the use of psychoactive substances, particularly in prisons.
Home Office
10
Conclusion
Third Report - Drugs
Accepted
The Combating Drugs Minister must write to us with an update on the outcome of the consultation before 18 December 2023.
Government response. The government commits to providing the committee with an update on the consultation outcome on or before 18 December 2023.
Home Office
11
Conclusion
Third Report - Drugs
Accepted
We are alarmed by the health and social harms of synthetic opioids, such as fentanyl. We are concerned that a reduction in the global supply of heroin will have the effect of people with an opioid dependency turning to even more potent and harmful synthetic opioids, which have contributed to …
Government response. The government states that UK agencies are highly alert to the synthetic drug threat, detailing existing Drug Strategy elements, £900m investment, additional resources for the NCA and Border Force, and engagement through Combating Drugs Partnerships and international fora to address …
Home Office
12
Recommendation
Third Report - Drugs
Accepted
To mitigate this risk, we recommend the Government, in partnership with the devolved administrations, increase its monitoring of synthetic drugs being trafficked in, and around, the UK, and prioritise supporting people with a chronic heroin dependency into treatment and recovery.
Government response. The government states that UK agencies are highly alert to the threat, detailing existing monitoring efforts through NCA resources, Border Force seizures, and Combating Drugs Partnerships, and refers to a £900m investment that includes drug treatment services.
Home Office
13
Recommendation
Third Report - Drugs
Accepted
We recommend that the Government must prepare a strategy to mitigate the risk of an increase in the supply and availability of synthetic opioids in the UK before the end of this Parliament.
Government response. The government states that UK agencies are highly alert to the threat and details existing efforts through the Drug Strategy, significant investment, resources for NCA and international networks, and multi-agency partnerships, implying these measures serve as their strategy to mitigate …
Home Office
17
Recommendation
Third Report - Drugs
Accepted
In line with the spirit of the partnership approach in the 10-Year Drugs Strategy, we recommend that the Government make the Department of Health and Social Care and the Home Office jointly responsible for drug policy. We recommend that the Combating Drugs portfolio be held by a minister that sits …
Government response. The government states that the Combating Drugs Minister's portfolio already spans six government departments, which goes further than the recommendation for joint responsibility between only the Department of Health and Social Care and the Home Office.
Home Office
22
Conclusion
Third Report - Drugs
Accepted
The strategy states a commitment to breaking down stigma but provides little detail on how this commitment would be actioned. Stigma is a key issue for people with lived experience of using drugs and for their loved ones. Tackling stigma in all its forms must be a priority in the …
Government response. The government accepted the conclusion, committing to embed anti-stigma messaging across government communications and policy, develop key messages for stakeholders, provide funding to local areas, and ensure DfE guidance promotes reducing stigma.
Home Office
24
Conclusion
Third Report - Drugs
Accepted
We were concerned to hear about the barriers people, such as women and black, Asian and minority ethnic people, can face when accessing treatment. No-one should be unable, or feel unable, to receive treatment and support. (Paragraph 100) Drugs 75
Government response. The government accepted the conclusion, committing to remove barriers to treatment for vulnerable groups. It outlined several actions including: empowering CDPs, OHID networks for good practice, guidance for women's services, a £53 million programme for the homeless, and a call …
Home Office
25
Recommendation
Third Report - Drugs
Accepted
We recommend that Combating Drugs Partnerships prioritise identifying the likely barriers to treatment and recovery for people within their local area and take steps to address these barriers as part of fulfilling their commitments under the 10-Year Drugs Strategy.
Government response. The government accepted the recommendation, affirming that Combating Drugs Partnerships (CDPs) have a crucial role and are responsible for identifying and addressing local barriers to treatment and recovery as part of the Drug Strategy. OHID also supports national and regional …
Home Office
28
Conclusion
Third Report - Drugs
Accepted
We welcome the strategy’s commitment to supporting families. It focuses on the important role of the family in preventing drug use, particularly in relation to young people. However, it does not recognise the role that families can play in the treatment and recovery of family members who have already developed …
Government response. The government accepted the conclusion, stating the Drug Strategy acknowledges the role of families and that £533 million in grant funding can be used by local authorities to develop family support services and embed mental health support. OHID has also …
Home Office
29
Recommendation
Third Report - Drugs
Accepted
We recommend that local authorities use the funding allocated under the 10-Year Drugs Strategy to embed specialist practical and mental health support within drug treatment and support services for the families and the loved ones of people who use, or used, drugs.
Government response. The government accepted the recommendation, confirming that the £533 million Substance Misuse Treatment and Recovery Grant allocated to local authorities can be used to develop local services supporting families and carers, including embedding specialist mental health support. OHID also provides …
Home Office
32
Conclusion
Third Report - Drugs
Accepted
We welcome the 10-Year Drug Strategy’s commitment to rolling up county lines but increasing law enforcement efforts is only one part of the solution. We therefore welcome the strategy’s commitment to reducing demand for drugs and to re- building the drug treatment and recovery sector. We believe that these actions …
Government response. The government states it accepts the recommendations and describes existing measures under the Drug Strategy, including investment in early intervention funds and new guidance, to prevent young people from being exploited by county lines.
Home Office
33
Conclusion
Third Report - Drugs
Accepted
To tackle county lines, we believe it is vital that the children and young people exploited (or at risk of exploitation) by criminal gangs are kept out of the criminal justice system.
Government response. The government states it accepts the recommendations and highlights its Drug Strategy and various programs, including early intervention funds and safeguarding referrals, are already focused on preventing child exploitation and supporting vulnerable youth to keep them out of the criminal …
Home Office
35
Recommendation
Third Report - Drugs
Accepted
We recommend that the Government work with local partners to link up drug treatment services for children and young people with exploitation services to ensure that they receive holistic support.
Government response. The government states it accepts the recommendations and is working with NHS England to ensure better integration between drug and alcohol treatment and children's mental health services, providing holistic support for young people.
Home Office
39
Recommendation
Third Report - Drugs
Accepted
As the Project ADDER pilot is set to continue until 2025, we recommend the Home Office provide us with an interim assessment of the pilot by January 2024. The Home Office must also provide us with an updated assessment of the pilot no more than three months after its conclusion …
Government response. The government accepts the recommendation and commits to providing an interim assessment of the Project ADDER pilot by January 2024, followed by an updated assessment within three months of its conclusion in 2025.
Home Office
46
Recommendation
Third Report - Drugs
Accepted
We recommend that the Government work with local authorities and health partners to ensure that people receive appropriate psychosocial support in addition to their opioid substitution treatment and ensure that they can continue to access opioid substitution treatment at a pace that meets their needs.
Government response. The government accepted the recommendation, citing its 10-year Drug Strategy, £533m additional funding for local authorities, and the publication of commissioning quality standards and updated guidance by OHID to ensure appropriate psychosocial support and flexible opioid substitution treatment.
Home Office
48
Recommendation
Third Report - Drugs
Accepted
We recommend that the Government go further than its commitment under the 10- Year Drugs Strategy to explore the rollout of long-acting buprenorphine and commit to establishing it as a first-line treatment option in England for people with an opioid dependence.
Government response. The government accepted the recommendation, stating its 10-year Drug Strategy and additional funding aim to increase high-quality treatment options, and OHID guidance ensures people can access a range of treatments, including long-acting buprenorphine, at a pace meeting their needs.
Home Office
53
Recommendation
Third Report - Drugs
Accepted
We recommend that public health guidance on the provision of diamorphine be changed to allow for the use of multi-dose vials instead of single-use ampoules to mitigate the additional cost and supply chain pressures associated with single-use ampoules.
Government response. The government accepted the recommendation, stating existing guidance already permits multi-dose vials, and NHS England has committed to reviewing this guidance to ensure it remains current.
Home Office
60
Conclusion
Third Report - Drugs
Accepted
We support the use of diversion schemes for low-level offences. The use of such schemes by police forces in England and Wales is increasing and we welcome the efforts of those forces in rolling out these schemes. However, we are concerned that the use and substance of diversion schemes can …
Government response. The government accepted, stating it will roll out pilots to expand the use of Out of Court Disposals for drug possession offences in some forces and aims to establish a detailed national picture of OOCDs to inform future policy.
Home Office
71
Recommendation
Third Report - Drugs
Accepted
In the absence of an operational Northern Ireland Executive and Assembly, the Government must further support officials and communities in Northern Ireland to respond to drugs. This must include support to develop and sustain early intervention and prevention initiatives under the Tackling Paramilitarism, Criminality and Organised Crime Programme, which seeks …
Government response. The government commits to supporting the Northern Ireland Executive's efforts against paramilitarism by providing c.£8 million per year until March 2024 and a further c.£8 million for 2024-2025. It also highlights an upcoming UK Drugs Ministerial meeting to enhance collaboration …
Home Office