Source · Select Committees · Home Affairs Committee
Recommendation 34
34
Acknowledged
Paragraph: 125
Implement report recommendations on harm reduction, especially expanding drug diversion schemes for offenders.
Recommendation
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 summary AI-generated
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.
Summary of the government's response below — read the verbatim text to verify.
Paragraph Reference:
125
Government Response
Acknowledged
HM Government · verbatim extract
Acknowledged
The Drug Strategy already provides strong support for harm reduction approaches and expansion of measures to reduce drug use. We recognise that a system wide approach is required to deliver interventions that support those caught up in county lines exploitation. The County Lines Programme forces (Metropolitan Police Service, Merseyside Police, West Midlands Police, Greater Manchester Police) take a holistic approach to tackling county lines, to not only pursue line holders but also work with partners to raise awareness of county lines exploitation, prevent vulnerable individuals from becoming involved in county lines and help those that already are to safely exit their involvement. This approach also seeks to reduce the harms associated with county lines, such as modern slavery, serious violence and homicide. Furthermore, as part of the Government’s Drug Strategy, we will be rolling out the Out of Court Disposal Drug Pilots to a small number of police force areas in England and Wales. The project will seek to expand use of Out of Court Disposals for eligible drug possession offences, while exploring how effective drug awareness courses can be in changing offender behaviour and on reoffending. 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.
Read the full response on Parliament ↗