Select committee: Public Accounts Committee
Conclusion 15
Eleventh Report - Reducing the harm from illegal drugs
Published 9 Feb 2024
Addressed to HM Treasury
Public Accounts Committee Reducing the harm from illegal drugs All items in this report Report on parliament.uk ↗ Inquiry on parliament.uk ↗
Conclusion (the committee's words)
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 Dame Carol and Ms Wiseman that there was a case for the provision of this specialist treatment service, which would likely reduce opiate-related deaths. However, they told us that as the treatment was some 15 times more expensive than standard treatments, it was not something that could be funded locally and this would need to be provided at a national level.47 44 Q 8 45 An evidence review of the outcomes that can be expected of drug misuse treatment in England (publishing. service.gov.uk) Figure 48 46 Home Affairs Committee, Drugs, Third Report of Session 2022–23, 12 July 2023, para 172 47 Q 11 Reducing the harm from illegal drugs 13 2 Developing a long-term approach Local variations in funding, approaches and outcomes
From: Public Accounts Committee, Eleventh Report - Reducing the harm from illegal drugs (HC 72), 9 February 2024
Government response
The government responded to the whole report on 2 April 2024.
Summary written by Accountability Index from the government's response. It is not the government's own words.The government states that it agrees with the Committee's recommendation on each of the six conclusions, giving target implementation dates of the end of 2024, March 2025 or April 2025, and describing one as already implemented.
- On sustained investment, the government agrees, and says the Joint Combating Drugs Unit and departments are "focused on developing a strong joint case for investment" at the next spending review, with a target date of the end of 2024.
- On funding certainty for local authorities, the government agrees and lists the recommendation as implemented. It says it "will give as much notice as is feasible" of future allocations, and published 2024-25 Public Health Grant allocations on 5 February 2024.
- On variations in local outcomes, the government agrees, with a target of March 2025. It cites targeted work by DHSC with 19 local authority areas, including "tailored performance improvement plans", and ongoing evaluation of local delivery.
- On reducing demand, the government agrees, with a target of April 2025. It "recognises there is more to do" and says work is underway to bring together the evidence, including a new cross-government innovation fund.