Recommendations & Conclusions
25 items
2
Conclusion
Eleventh Report - Reducing the harm fro…
Accepted
Achieving the long-term aim of reducing drug-related harms will only be possible if departments work collaboratively and adapt their approach to the evolving threats. The government has created new national and local structures to enable a co-ordinated response to implementing the strategy and tackling the harms caused by illegal drugs. …
Government response. The government states the JCDU and departments have well-established plans for longer-term delivery and evaluation. Specific actions include the cross-government Synthetic Opioids Taskforce leading the response to synthetic opioids, and DHSC developing an early warning system and a 10-year workforce …
HM Treasury
3
Recommendation
Eleventh Report - Reducing the harm fro…
Accepted
Uncertainty over funding allocations has made it difficult for local authorities to commission and deliver the high-quality treatment and recovery services that are needed. In 2022–23 and 2023–24, DHSC encountered delays in allocating substance misuse treatment funding to local authorities. These delays hindered early progress by making it harder for …
Government response. The government states it published supplementary Drug Strategy grants for 2024-25 in November 2023 and Public Health Grant allocations for 2024-25 in February 2024, providing clarity for local planning. Work is also ongoing to develop a strong case for investment …
HM Treasury
4
Conclusion
Eleventh Report - Reducing the harm fro…
Accepted
There are variations in local outcomes which the JCDU and DHSC have not yet addressed. The capacity and capability of local authorities to deliver drug treatment and recovery services have been significantly eroded in recent years. Between 2014–15 and 2021–22, local authorities saw annual spending on drug and alcohol treatment …
Government response. The government states a Shared Outcomes Fund evaluation is underway, and the JCDU regularly disseminates good practice via guidance and events. DHSC is undertaking targeted work with 19 high-need local areas, including support for London and rolling out an Unmet …
HM Treasury
5
Conclusion
Eleventh Report - Reducing the harm fro…
Accepted
The JCDU and departments have not put sufficient emphasis on the importance of addressing the specific needs of different cohorts of people who use drugs. It is unacceptable that drug-related deaths in England increased by 80% between 2011 and 2021, to nearly 3,000 people each year. Drug use is highest …
Government response. The government states it has commissioned work to understand barriers faced by protected groups and has issued Drug Strategy guidance for local partners on equality of access. Current DHSC work includes enhancing data tools, providing targeted support, workforce development, and …
HM Treasury
6
Conclusion
Eleventh Report - Reducing the harm fro…
Accepted
Despite previous attempts to reduce the demand for illegal drugs, the JCDU and departments still do not understand how to change behaviours and prevent people from taking drugs. Reducing the demand for illegal drugs is crucial to mitigating the harms caused by their supply. Effective prevention can also represent better …
Government response. The government agrees and will develop an evidence-based plan by investing in compulsory drug education (RSHE), commissioning primary and secondary research on drug use drivers, supporting vulnerable families through family hubs, and developing a guide for local Combating Drugs Partnerships.
HM Treasury
1
Conclusion
Eleventh Report - Reducing the harm fro…
Accepted
On the basis of a report by the Comptroller and Auditor General, we took evidence from the Home Office and the Department for Health and Social Care.2 We also took evidence from Dame Carol Black, author of the government’s independent review of drugs; Mike Trace, Chief Executive Officer, Forward Trust; …
Government response. The government states its key achievements in combating drugs, including increased treatment places, county lines closures, improved prison leaver treatment, expanded drug testing, and increased substance-free units in prisons. It also notes ongoing evaluation and future planning for the next …
HM Treasury
7
Recommendation
Eleventh Report - Reducing the harm fro…
Accepted
We raised concerns that government would not be able to make a compelling case for continued funding at the next Spending Review. The JCDU and departments need to demonstrate to HM Treasury the impact of the £900 million of funding during the first three years of the strategy. However, Dame …
Government response. The government accepts the recommendation, stating that ongoing evaluations and commissioned studies are in place to build an evidence base on progress and economic impact, which will inform future investment proposals and strategy adjustments by the end of 2024.
HM Treasury
8
Conclusion
Eleventh Report - Reducing the harm fro…
Accepted
We were also concerned that the JCDU and departments would not be able to develop a sufficient evidence base in the time available. They have begun to collect evidence on ‘what works’ but told us that timing was an issue and there would be limited evidence on the programme. However, …
Government response. The government agrees with the implied need for an evidence base, stating that ongoing evaluation of projects and programmes is already in place and the JCDU has commissioned further evaluations to increase understanding and inform future strategy.
HM Treasury
9
Recommendation
Eleventh Report - Reducing the harm fro…
Not Addressed
The introduction of the From harm to hope strategy has led to positive change. The appointment of a Combating Drugs minister and the nomination of the Home Office permanent secretary as senior responsible owner, alongside the creation of the Joint Combating Drugs Unit (JCDU), has improved coordination across six departments.21 …
Government response. The government response describes the 'From harm to hope' drug strategy, its allocated funding, and the roles of various departments and the JCDU in its implementation. It does not address the committee's point that the JCDU needed strengthening due to …
HM Treasury
10
Conclusion
Eleventh Report - Reducing the harm fro…
Acknowledged
There have been signs of progress in some areas.24 For example, local areas have recruited an extra 1,220 drug workers, exceeding the 3-year target already.25 In terms of disrupting the supply of drugs, over 2,000 county lines have been closed (exceeding the initial three-year target) and there have been 4,800 …
Government response. The government acknowledged the committee's observation on progress and provided further specific achievements, including increasing treatment places, closing county lines, improving prison leaver treatment, and expanding drug testing on arrest.
HM Treasury
11
Recommendation
Eleventh Report - Reducing the harm fro…
Accepted
Dame Carol told us that she had challenged government to work together in a more collaborative and integrated way to deliver system-wide change. The whole system needs to join up to support longer-term recovery and enhanced rehabilitation, including mental health support, housing and getting people into work.29 We were concerned …
Government response. The government accepts the recommendation with an April 2025 target, committing to a whole-system approach to reducing drug-related harm. Specific actions include coordinating the Synthetic Opioids Taskforce, developing an early warning system, improving the treatment workforce, and enhancing links between …
HM Treasury
12
Conclusion
Eleventh Report - Reducing the harm fro…
Accepted
Mr Trace told us that changes in drug markets can happen rapidly, and that if synthetic opioids became more prevalent in the UK, the strategy would need to adapt rapidly.35 Mr Lay told us that there had been a synthetic opioid (isonitazenes) outbreak in London in 2021 and that policing …
Government response. The government reiterated its robust action against synthetic opioids, including the existing cross-government Synthetic Opioids Taskforce and the ongoing development of an early warning and drugs harm surveillance system.
HM Treasury
13
Conclusion
Eleventh Report - Reducing the harm fro…
Accepted
DHSC is responsible for allocating the annual Public Health Grant and Supplementary Substance Misuse Treatment and Recovery Grant to local authorities each year. The NAO’s report highlighted that there had been significant delays in confirming allocations of these grants for the first two years of the strategy’s implementation.38 DHSC told …
Government response. The government agrees to provide as much notice as feasible for future financial allocations, noting that 2024-25 drug strategy grants were published in November 2023 and Public Health Grant allocations in February 2024 to provide clarity for local authorities.
HM Treasury
14
Conclusion
Eleventh Report - Reducing the harm fro…
Acknowledged
While the strategy has a 10-year timescale to achieve its intended outcomes, its funding allocations are restricted to government Spending Review periods, typically for two to four years.42 When asked about how they could provide greater assurance to local bodies on longer-term funding, departments told us they were unable to …
Government response. The government acknowledges the committee's concerns about long-term funding, explaining that spending reviews dictate allocations and that work is ongoing to develop a strong case for investment beyond March 2025.
HM Treasury
15
Conclusion
Eleventh Report - Reducing the harm fro…
Successful recovery from addiction to illegal drugs, such as opiates, is difficult, with high levels of recidivism.45 In its recent report, the Home Affairs Committee highlighted the efficacy of specialist programmes—such as diamorphine assisted treatment—in helping those with a long history of addiction and poor treatment outcomes.46 We heard from …
HM Treasury
16
Conclusion
Eleventh Report - Reducing the harm fro…
Accepted
Drug treatment services declined over the last decade, with a real-terms funding cut of 40% across England between 2014–15 and 2021–22. The position varies widely across local areas, with 42 of 150 unitary authorities seeing falls of 50% or more.48 Dame Carol, Ms Wiseman and Mr Trace summarised the consequences …
Government response. The government acknowledged the committee's observations about past funding cuts and outlined ongoing achievements, including increasing treatment places, developing a 10-year workforce strategic plan, and improving links between prison and community treatment services.
HM Treasury
17
Conclusion
Eleventh Report - Reducing the harm fro…
Accepted
DHSC has allocated strategy funding for drug treatment and recovery to local authorities on a phased basis over three years, with the areas suffering greatest harm receiving priority.52 Mr Trace told us there is no national system, with variations in the availability and quality of services, particularly in areas such …
Government response. The government agreed with the committee's observation on variations, detailing actions to support local areas including an evaluation of the whole-system approach, dissemination of good practice, targeted work with 19 local authorities to develop improvement plans, and the rollout of …
HM Treasury
18
Conclusion
Eleventh Report - Reducing the harm fro…
Accepted
DHSC highlighted that local areas will base treatment and recovery services on local needs and demographics. We heard that the strategy was leading to innovation and good practice but the JCDU and departments could not point to specific examples.56 Dame Carol told us progress was patchy, with some local authorities …
Government response. The government agreed with the committee, stating DHSC is undertaking targeted work with the 19 local authorities needing improvement, including agreeing tailored performance improvement plans, disseminating good practice, and conducting an evaluation of the whole-system approach.
HM Treasury
19
Conclusion
Eleventh Report - Reducing the harm fro…
Acknowledged
We have previously highlighted the importance of effective performance metrics as a means of assessing progress in implementation.60 The JCDU has developed the National Outcomes Framework as a basis for assessing progress towards outcomes of reduced 48 C&AG’s Report, para 9 49 Q 3 50 Q 59; C&AG’s Report, Figure …
Government response. The government acknowledged concerns about performance metrics by stating ongoing evaluations and tracking of outcomes within the National Combating Drugs Outcomes Framework will increase understanding of progress and inform potential adjustments to their approach.
HM Treasury
20
Recommendation
Eleventh Report - Reducing the harm fro…
Not Addressed
In the year ending June 2022, 9.2% of 16–59-year-olds in England and Wales reported having taken drugs at least once within the past year, with 2.7% having taken Class A drugs. These proportions are higher for younger adults, with 19% of 16–24-year-olds reporting having taken drugs within the past year, …
Government response. The government's response outlines existing and ongoing work to monitor impacts, address diverse needs, and reduce drug demand through education and research, but does not commit to setting specific drug use reduction targets for young people or other cohorts as …
HM Treasury
21
Conclusion
Eleventh Report - Reducing the harm fro…
Accepted
We were concerned that the government’s drug strategy made little reference to women.70 Written evidence submitted by the Office of the West Midlands Police and Crime Commissioner underlined the limited consideration of women and girls in the strategy, and the lack of reference to wider work on women in the …
Government response. The government agreed with the committee's concern regarding women, committing to specific work addressing service access needs for protected groups, supporting local authorities to commission needs-based services, and developing national outcomes framework measures to understand differential impacts.
HM Treasury
22
Conclusion
Eleventh Report - Reducing the harm fro…
Accepted
Around 3 million people in England and Wales take illegal drugs each year, around one in 11 adults. Despite attempts in the 2010 and 2017 drugs strategies to reduce long- term demand, this figure has remained largely unchanged since 2010–11.74 Our recent report on alcohol treatment services highlighted the importance …
Government response. The government agreed with the committee's observation on the importance of prevention, committing to continued investment in drug education, primary and secondary research on drug use drivers, supporting vulnerable families, and developing a guide for local partnerships on prevention.
HM Treasury
23
Recommendation
Eleventh Report - Reducing the harm fro…
Accepted
The JCDU and Home Office did not have an evidence base about what works in preventing individuals from taking up drug use.77 The drug strategy has a strong focus on the link between criminal activity and drug use, with initiatives such as drug testing on arrest and out of court …
Government response. The government accepts the recommendation with an April 2025 target, committing to building the evidence base on drug prevention. Actions include ensuring compulsory drug education, conducting primary and secondary research, launching a new cross-government innovation fund, evaluating the RSHE curriculum, …
HM Treasury
24
Conclusion
Eleventh Report - Reducing the harm fro…
Accepted
Dame Carol and Ms Wiseman told us that there was little investment in research into the behaviours and factors that lead to substance misuse.80 The JCDU pointed to the £5 million investment in the ‘innovation fund’ which is looking at building evidence around the key area of reducing demand.81 However, …
Government response. The government agreed with the committee's observation on research investment, stating it will continue to invest in primary and secondary research on drug use drivers, and is delivering a new cross-government innovation fund to build the evidence base and test …
HM Treasury
25
Conclusion
Eleventh Report - Reducing the harm fro…
Accepted
Ms Wiseman told us that preventing vulnerable people falling victim to substance misuse must include consideration of issues such as deprivation, trauma, poor mental ill health, and adverse childhood experiences. The support networks and services that were once available to help families have been eroded over the past decade. Ms …
Government response. The government agreed, committing to continue investing in primary prevention activities such as compulsory drug education in schools, research into drug use drivers, supporting vulnerable families via family hubs, developing prevention guides for local partnerships, and delivering a cross-government innovation …
HM Treasury