DrugScope Welcomes Open-Ended Drug Strategy Consultation, UK

DrugScope, the national membership organisation for the drug sector, responded to the publication of the 2010 Drug Strategy Consultation Paper (1). The Consultation Paper sets out the coalition government's vision for the new drug strategy, which has four broad aims: "to prevent drug taking, disrupt drug supply, strengthen enforcement and promote drug treatment with the focus on enabling people to become free of their addictions, including alcohol, to recover fully and contribute to society."


Martin Barnes, DrugScope's Chief Executive, responding to the Consultation Paper said:


"DrugScope welcomes the open-ended and wide ranging nature of the questions contained in the consultation paper published today. We hope this signals a readiness on the part of the government to be open and receptive to the views of the substance misuse sector about the best way forward to reduce the harms caused by drugs and alcohol. We note that the government is asking questions about addressing stigma and barriers to recovery and with that in mind we urge caution on considering whether benefit receipt should be conditional on undergoing treatment.


"The government recognises the need for a joint drug and alcohol approach where appropriate, something DrugScope has been arguing for on behalf of our members for many years. Throughout September we will be consulting our members, who work in drug treatment, education and prevention, healthcare and criminal justice, to gauge their views on the future drug strategy. Our submission to the government will be rooted in our members' knowledge and experience of what works on the ground.


"The document suggests a strategic vision with a 'more holistic approach' to tackling the problems of dependency, including alcohol use, child protection, mental health, employment and housing. This is definitely positive, although there needs to be sufficient resourcing available to enable a more mainstream response to drug misuse and its complex social problems to happen. Recognising that mental health services and substance misuse services could work together more closely is another positive.


"In a recently published consensus statement (2), DrugScope and a group of over 30 substance misuse organisations have called on the government to ensure that the drug treatment system is balanced and remains well resourced. The commitment to increasing treatment choice for service users is important and an expansion of drug rehabilitation facilities forms part of this. However, this must not detract from the benefits of other forms of treatment, including substitute prescribing, that transform the lives of many people.


"We note the recognition that the treatment system should reflect the changing nature of an increasingly complex drug scene, not only to people who experience heroin and/or crack problems, but also those seeking help because of problems with powder cocaine and other drugs. It is encouraging that the problems of dependency on prescription or over-the-counter drugs - our 'hidden drug problem' - is being recognised."


References:


(1) The Home Office 2010 Drug Strategy Consultation Paper can be downloaded here.


(2) For more on the consensus statement including information on signatories, please see here.


Source:

DrugScope