Third Report - Drugs

The government rejects the recommendation for reform, stating it has no plans for fundamental changes to the 1971 Act or 2001 Regulations, believing existing legislation supports a balanced public health and law enforcement approach.

The government rejects the recommendation for a broad, commissioned review of drug classifications and scheduling, stating it has no plans for such a review and is largely satisfied with current controls, noting the ACMD can also self-commission reviews.

The government explicitly rejects the request to publish the 2016 ACMD report or provide a confidential copy, explaining that the paper was marked confidential by the ACMD itself and its publication would be inappropriate.

The government rejected the recommendation to pilot safe consumption facilities, stating it does not support them and has no plans to create a legal framework due to existing offences.

The government rejected the recommendation to support and fund a pilot safe consumption facility in Glasgow and create a legislative pathway, citing its lack of support for such facilities and the absence of a legal framework.

The government rejected the recommendation to establish a national drug checking service, stating it implies approval of illicit drug use and is contrary to their zero-tolerance strategy, though it highlighted existing systems for detecting new psychoactive substances.

The government rejected the recommendation to expand on-site drug checking services and establish a licensing scheme, arguing such services imply approval of illicit drug use and conflict with their zero-tolerance strategy.

The government rejected the recommendation to ensure a sustainable supply of prescribed diamorphine, stating ongoing manufacturing issues, clinical advice to use morphine as a first-line alternative due to no clinical advantages of diamorphine, and reduced NHS usage.

The government rejected the recommendation for centralised funding for DAT, reiterating that local authorities are responsible for commissioning and funding these interventions based on local needs.

The government explicitly rejects the recommendation to widen accessibility of unlicensed CBPMs, stating it is a clinical decision and that more evidence is needed to support routine prescribing. They encourage manufacturers to conduct research and are working to establish clinical trials.

The government rejects the conclusion, stating it has no plans for fundamental reform of the Misuse of Drugs Act 1971 or the Misuse of Drugs Regulations 2001, believing current legislation is appropriate and compatible with a balanced approach.

The government rejects the conclusion that a wider review is required, stating it has no plans for a broad review and is satisfied with the current classification of most commonly used drugs, though it has acted on nitrous oxide.

The government acknowledges the essential role of ACMD advice but asserts its prerogative to make alternative decisions, taking into account other relevant factors to protect the public, even when differing from ACMD conclusions.

The government explicitly refuses to publish the 2016 ACMD paper or provide a confidential copy, explaining that the ACMD itself marked the paper as confidential and it would be inappropriate for the Home Office to publish it.

The government rejected the recommendation, stating it does not support safe consumption facilities, that there is no legal framework for them, and anyone operating one would be committing offences.

The government rejected the recommendation, stating that local authorities are responsible for commissioning drug treatment interventions and deciding on funding based on local need and priorities.

The government explicitly rejects the committee's underlying sentiment for greater access to unlicensed CBPMs, stating that prescribing medicinal cannabis is a clinical decision, not a matter for government policy. It maintains commitment to an evidence-based approach, encouraging research and establishing clinical trials to build the necessary evidence.