Illegal drug use causes significant harm to both individuals and to wider society, and costs an estimated £20 billion a year. In December 2021, the Government published ‘From Harm to Hope,’ its 10-year plan providing £900 million of new funding to reduce the harm caused by illegal drugs.
The Committee’s inquiry follows its May 2023 report on alcohol treatment services, and will examine both progress to-date in implementing the strategy, and the work of the cross-government Joint Combatting Drugs Unit (JCDU).
Based on a National Audit Office report on reducing harm from illegal drugs, the Committee’s inquiry will take evidence across two hearings.
First, the Committee will hear from expert witnesses including Professor Dame Carol Black, whose independent review of drugs recommended the creation of the JCDU.
The Committee will also hear from senior officials at the Home Office and the Department of Health and Social Care, with likely topics including:
- progress on disrupting drugs supply;
- reducing long-term demand for drugs;
- any barriers to accessing treatment and supporting recovery;
- certainty of Government funding.
If you have evidence on these issues please submit it here by 23:59 on Friday 17 November 2023.
Please look at the requirements for written evidence submissions and note that the Committee cannot accept material as evidence that is published elsewhere.