Source · Select Committees · Home Affairs Committee
Recommendation 31
31
Deferred
Explain identification of drug-dependent individuals, youth impact, and costs for new sanctions policy.
Conclusion
Though we await the outcome of the consultation on this White Paper, we ask that the Home Office further explain: (Paragraph 113) a) How people with a drug dependency—to whom this policy will not apply—will be identified and directed into treatment. b) The extent to which the policy is likely to affect young people aged 16–24 years old—among whom recreational drug use tends to be higher—and what analysis it has done on how effective the policy is likely to be among this age group compared to police-led diversion schemes. c) To what extent the cost of implementing the policy would fall to the devolved administrations. 76 Drugs County lines
Government Response Summary
The government acknowledges the committee's concerns but defers providing the requested explanations, stating they are analysing consultation responses to the White Paper and will publish a formal response in due course.
Government Response
Deferred
HM Government
Deferred
The Government welcomes the Committee’s comments and recognises the concerns outlined in the report regarding the potential impact of the White Paper proposals. The Government published the Swift, Certain, Tough: New Consequences for Drug Possession White Paper on 4 April 2022. The White Paper set out the Government’s plans for a new three-tiered framework of escalating sanctions for drug possession offences. The White Paper was subject to a public consultation, which closed on 27 October 2022. The Government received over 2,000 responses to the consultation, and is currently analysing these responses to inform next steps. The Government will publish a formal response to the consultation in due course. The Government remains committed to ensuring that drug users are directed to treatment where appropriate, and that young people are not disproportionately affected by drug policy. We will consider the findings from the consultation, alongside other evidence and advice, to ensure that any new policy approaches are effective, proportionate and fair. In developing the White Paper, the Government considered a range of evidence, including from the Crime Survey for England and Wales (CSEW), which provides data on drug use across different age groups. The Government also engaged with a range of stakeholders, including those representing young people and people with lived experience of drug dependency. The Drug Strategy is a ten-year plan to cut crime and save lives. It is underpinned by a record investment of over £3 billion over the first three years of delivery, and is focused on three key strategic priorities: breaking drug supply chains, delivering a world-class treatment and recovery system and achieving a generational shift in the demand for drugs. The Government is committed to tackling drug-related harm through a balanced approach, combining strong law enforcement with a world-class treatment and recovery system. The Government will provide the Committee with an update on the outcome of the consultation and next steps in due course.