Committees

Drugs

Inquiry

The focus of the inquiry is on illegal drug use and its effects on society and the economy.

The inquiry considers the UK’s legislative framework on drugs and UK drug policy. The framework refers to, for example: the Misuse of Drugs Act 1971; the Psychoactive Substances Act 2016; and, where relevant, any subordinate legislation made under these Acts.

In particular, the inquiry considers the Misuse of Drugs Act 1971 and its efficacy today. It assesses what impact the Psychoactive Substances Act 2016 has had since it came into force. The inquiry also looks at the impact of drug use in the UK, and at approaches to drugs adopted elsewhere.

Read the terms of reference to find out more about this inquiry.

Warning - some of the written evidence published as part of this inquiry may contain material that some readers may find upsetting.

This inquiry is no longer accepting evidence

The deadline for submissions was 12:00pm on 24 March 2022.

Upcoming events

View all events

No upcoming events scheduled

Past events

Wednesday 22 February 2023
9:15am Private
9:45am Public
Drugs - Oral evidence 22 February 2023
9:45am
  • Angela Constance (Minister for Drugs Policy at Scottish Government)
10:30am
  • Rt Hon Chris Philp MP (Combatting Drugs Minister and Minister for Crime, Policing and Fire at Home Office)
  • Marcus Starling (Deputy Director of the Drug Misuse Unit, Crime Reduction Directorate at Home Office)
  • Caroline Hart (Deputy Director for Drugs Supply and County Lines at Home Office)
The Grimond Room, Portcullis House
Wednesday 29 June 2022
9:15am Private
9:45am Public
Drugs - Oral evidence 29 June 2022
9:45am
  • Charlie Doyle (Assistant Chief Constable at British Transport Police)
  • Dr Richard Lewis (Drugs lead at National Police Chiefs’ Council and Chief Constable of Dyfed-Powys Police)
  • Steve Rodhouse (Director General of Operations at National Crime Agency)
10:45am
  • Dr Jack Spicer (Lecturer in Criminology at University of the West of England)
  • Junior Smart OBE
  • Nicky Hill (Head of Services at Abianda)
Room 16, Palace of Westminster
Wednesday 15 June 2022
9:15am Private
9:45am Public
Drugs - Oral evidence 15 June 2022
9:45am
  • John Campbell QPM (Chief Constable at Thames Valley Police)
  • Serena Kennedy (Chief Constable at Merseyside Police)
  • David Thorne (Assistant Chief Constable at South Wales Police)
10:45am
  • Andy Dunbobbin
  • Zoe Metcalfe
  • David Sidwick
The Grimond Room, Portcullis House
Wednesday 25 May 2022
9:30am Private
10:00am Public
Drugs - Oral evidence 25 May 2022
10:00am
  • Councillor Joanne Harding (Councillor at Local Government Association)
  • Maggie Boreham (City and Hackney Public Health Team at Hackney Council)
  • Professor Jim McManus (President of the Association of Directors of Public Health and Director of Public Health at Hertfordshire County Council)
11:00am
  • Professor Dame Carol Black
The Grimond Room, Portcullis House

Related information

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We receive a significant number of emails each day. All requests and invitations are considered but we do not respond directly to everyone. Please be aware, the committee does not look at individual cases or specific complaints.