Source · Select Committees · Public Accounts Committee
Recommendation 2
2
Accepted
Assess the next drug strategy phase to embed system-level focus, address barriers and threats.
Conclusion
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. We welcome these positive steps, and the progress made in recruiting 1,200 new alcohol and drug workers and the 15% increase in the closure of county lines. The JCDU has a key role to play in providing strategic leadership, disseminating good practices and holding departments to account for progress against the strategy’s intended outcomes. But departments have mainly used funding to maintain or expand existing activities and, so far, this has not led to a fundamental shift in the approach to tackling illegal drugs. Dame Carol Black called for ‘whole-system change’ but expert witnesses consider that the strategy has not yet led to a joined-up cross-sector response to help people recover from addiction. The JCDU and departments have not yet established how the existing approach needs to change to achieve long-term aims. They also need to be aware of emerging trends in illegal drugs markets and adapt their approaches to new threats, such as synthetic opioids which are increasingly emerging as a problem in the UK. 1 Q93 6 Reducing the harm from illegal drugs Recommendation 2: The JCDU and departments should assess how the next phase of the strategy can build on progress in the first three years and embed a system- level focus on the difficult issues involved in tackling drug-related harms. In doing so, they will need to address structural barriers (e.g., to recovery and continuity of care), take account of changing threats and set clear accountabilities for delivery.
Government Response Summary
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 plan.
Government Response
Accepted
HM Government
Accepted
The government agrees with the Committee’s recommendation. evolving and learning from the evidence and emerging threats over the 10-year period. Building on this commitment and the National Audit Office’s recommendations, JCDU and departments have well-established plans for longer term delivery and evaluation, and have put in place the governance to ensure the JCDU and departments take a whole-system approach to learning from what works. The government is taking robust action to develop a whole-system approach to reducing drug-related harm. For example, the cross-government Synthetic Opioids Taskforce is leading and coordinating the system-wide response to the increased risk posed by synthetic opioids to the United Kingdom. It is supporting collaborative efforts including the DHSC-led development of an early warning and drugs harm surveillance system to enable a more long- term, resilient response to emerging threats. Additionally, DHSC has led on the development of a 10-year workforce strategic plan to build back quality in the treatment workforce and has accelerated its Drug and Alcohol Related Deaths action plan to take account of the risks of synthetic opioids. Wider government programmes aim to join up services to address structural barriers to recovery. For example, improving links between prison and community treatment services through the nationwide recruitment of Health and Justice Partnership Coordinators and the implementation of a new information-sharing project to enable probation to support prison leavers' attendance at treatment appointments. There is also ongoing work to enhance the recovery orientation of local treatment and recovery systems and improve support for co-occurring substance misuse and mental health needs. Collaboration across departments and agencies is key to delivering this work. Plans will be kept under review and adapted to take account of the evolving evidence base. This will ensure the government delivers what works and progresses towards its long- term strategic goals.