National context on drug use

Independent review of drugs

In 2019, in response to rising drug misuse and drug-related deaths the Government commissioned Professor Dame Carol Black to undertake an independent review of drugs in two phases: an up-to-date analysis of the problems, and then recommended policy solutions.  Part 1, published in February 2020, outlined the extent of the illicit drugs market in the UK, worth almost £10 billion a year, with 3 million users and a supply chain that has become increasingly violent and exploitative. The Report found drug deaths at an all-time high and drug addiction fuelling many costly social problems, including homelessness, and rising demands on children’s social care.

The second part of the review was published in July 2021 and highlighted widening inequalities and the potential for any economic recession to further drive trends in drug use and deaths in the wrong direction.  The report noted that to achieve and sustain recovery people need, alongside treatment, somewhere safe to live and something meaningful to do (a job, education, or training).

From Harm to Hope

In December 2021, the Government published a new ten-year drugs plan, From Harm to Hope. The Strategy seeks to deliver the recommendations of Dame Carol Black’s landmark Independent Review, including a new long-term approach, with changes to oversight and accountability, delivered by multiple departments across Government under a new national Joint Combating Drugs Unit. The review set out the evidence of the benefits to society of investment in high-quality drug treatment and recovery. The ten-year commitment sets out the expectations of how the whole of Government and public services will work together and share responsibility for delivery. This is specified in ‘Guidance for Local Delivery Partners’, published in June 2022.

In July 2022, the new National Drug Strategy required a ‘Combating Drugs Partnership’ (CDP) to be formed over an agreed local geography which brings together action and oversight across the three priorities of the Drugs Strategy with accountability for delivery against the National Combating Drugs Outcomes Framework.