Recommendation 12

HM Government Not Addressed

The government has a strong track record on investing to tackle drug misuse through the Home Office. No illicit drug can be assumed to be safe and there is no safe way to take illicit drugs safely. The possession, supply or production of any amount of a controlled drug without a licence - where one is needed - is a criminal offence. The Government recognises that there are a number of concerns in relation to festival drug testing. However, with regard to front-of-house testing, the Government agrees with the concerns that providers of medical services for Glastonbury and Reading festivals raised in their evidence to the inquiry that the potential unintended consequences of such testing have not been adequately assessed. Therefore, we are unable to support the use of front-of- house testing until further assessments are carried out. However, the Government will continue to support back-of-house testing on substances that have been seized as this can provide useful intelligence and enable festival organisers and other partners to implement harm reduction measures. Anyone interested in lawfully undertaking activities that include the possession, supply or production of controlled drugs (including in the course of drug testing services) can already apply to the Home Office for a domestic licence. As part of a licence application, individuals or the company involved would be subject to the usual considerations, visits and fees. Tackling drug misuse requires a system wide approach, and a need to work closely with local partners. Local initiatives to improve safety and reduce drug-related harm at festivals, including social media messaging and other communications, often involve local authorities, which are supported by regional Public Health England (PHE) centres. PHE continues to run FRANK, the national drugs website and helpline for young people, which has extensive information on drug risks and how to avoid them. FRANK news articles around the festival season cover these risks in more detail. More generally, drugs can devastate lives, ruin families and damage communities. This Government’s approach to them remains clear - we must prevent drug misuse in our communities and support people through treatment and recovery. In January 2021, the Government announced a £148 million new investment to cut crime and protect people from the scourge of illegal drugs. This includes: ● £80 million for drug treatment services right across England to give more support to offenders with drink and drug addictions, which can fuel crime - this represents the largest increase in drug treatment funding for 15 years. ● £28 million to be invested into piloting Project ADDER (which stands for Addiction, Diversion, Disruption, Enforcement and Recovery). This project is a new intensive approach to tackling drug misuse, which combines targeted and tougher policing with diversionary schemes and enhanced treatment and recovery services. ● £40 million to tackle drugs supply and county lines and surge our activity against these ruthless gangs. This will allow us to expand and build upon the successful results of our existing £25 million county lines programme. The Government takes a balanced approach to tackling drug misuse, which brings together police, health, community and global partners to tackle the illicit drug trade, protect the most vulnerable and help those with a drug dependency to recover and turn their lives around.