Source · Select Committees · Scottish Affairs Committee
Recommendation 18
18
Acknowledged
Require UK Government to seriously consider evaluation of The Thistle and merits of SDCFs.
Recommendation
The Minister has stated that the UK Government will consider the evidence emerging from the pilot. However, it was clear from the Minister’s evidence that the Home Office will not make legislative changes, even if the evaluation finds that the facility has been effective in meeting its aims. The UK Government should not approach the evaluation having already made up its mind about the future of The Thistle. The UK Government should seriously consider the evaluation and, if the outcomes are positive, should consider the merits of SDCFs alongside consideration of other interventions to tackle problem drug use. (Conclusion, Paragraph 135)
Government response summary AI-generated
The government acknowledges its commitment to an evidence-based approach to drug policy within the law, citing various existing evidence-based programs as examples.
Summary of the government's response below — read the verbatim text to verify.
Government Response
Acknowledged
HM Government · verbatim extract
Acknowledged
The UK fully recognises the Scottish Government’s need to tackle drug misuse in areas where responsibility is devolved, including healthcare, criminal justice, housing, and education. The legislative framework for drugs works as intended, enabling harmful substances to be controlled whilst ensuring access for those with legitimate reasons including researchers, pharmaceutical companies, clinicians and patients in receipt of valid prescriptions. The Government has been clear that it has no plans to amend the Misuse of Drugs Act 1971 to enable the operation of DCRs in any part of the United Kingdom. The Thistle is subject to an independent evaluation, and we will welcome any evidence that emerges as part of that following the three-year pilot.
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