Recommendations & Conclusions
8 items
18
Conclusion
Third Report - Drugs
Acknowledged
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 approach and the increase in funding for the drug treatment …
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
34
Recommendation
Third Report - Drugs
Acknowledged
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
38
Conclusion
Third Report - Drugs
Acknowledged
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 and Social Care can be.
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
47
Conclusion
Third Report - Drugs
Acknowledged
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 of opioid substitution treatment.
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
63
Conclusion
Third Report - Drugs
Acknowledged
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 believe that this aligns with the Government’s commitment to adopting …
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
67
Conclusion
Third Report - Drugs
Acknowledged
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 …
Home Office
69
Conclusion
Third Report - Drugs
Acknowledged
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
70
Conclusion
Third Report - Drugs
Acknowledged
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 political stalemate is having in Northern Ireland and the extent …
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 …
Home Office