MPs call for new approach to cut drug deaths toll

Some offences ‘should be decriminalised’

A RADICAL new approach is needed to tackle the rising number of drug-related deaths with some offences decriminalised, MPs have warned in a controversial new report published today.

The Health and Social Care Committee has claimed that the country’s position on drugs was “clearly failing” and called for a departure from current legislation to stem the increasing number of fatalities.

Members of the committee said drug possession for personal use should be a civil matter, not a crime, and any policy should focus on healthcare, not prosecution.

They have urged the Government to carry out a consultation on decriminalisation and to look at the system in Portugal where this was introduced, saying such a move would “save money” from the criminal justice system and allow for more investment in prevention and treatment.

The move could “save lives”, the report claimed, as it called for “sufficient funding” for alternative approaches, like a pilot of drug consumption rooms – supervised healthcare facilities where users can take drugs in safer conditions.

The committee’s chairwoman, Dr Sarah Wollaston, claimed that decriminalisation alone “would not be sufficient” and there needed to be a “radical upgrade in treatment and holistic care for those who are dependent on drugs, and this should begin without delay.”

She added: “Every drug death should be regarded as preventable and yet across the UK, the number of drugs-related deaths continues to rise to the scale of a public health emergency.

“Recommendations put forward in this report propose changes to drugs policy that are desperately needed to prevent

Dr Sarah Wollaston, chairwoman of the Health and Social Care Committee.

thousands of deaths. Avoidable drug deaths are increasing year on year across the UK, but there has been a failure to act on the evidence.

“The Government should learn lessons from the international experience, including countries like Portugal.”

The report said there should be needle and syringe exchanges and “take home” naloxone, which can reverse the effects of opioids.

There were 2,670 deaths directly attributed to drug misuse in England last year, an increase of 16 per cent since 2017, the findings revealed.

Researchers claimed that if other causes of premature death amongst people who use drugs were included, it is likely that the figure would approximately double.

The report states the Portuguese system has included improving treatment services, introducing harm reduction interventions, and better education, prevention and social support.

It added: “Evidence heard throughout this inquiry leads the committee to conclude that UK drugs policy is clearly failing. The United Kingdom has some of the highest drug death rates in Europe, particularly in Scotland.

“Decriminalisation will not be effective without investing in holistic harm reduction, support and treatment services for drug addiction. Doing so would save lives and provide better protection for communities.”

It also said the responsibility of drugs policy should be moved from the Home Office to the Department of Health and Social Care.

Changes to drugs policy are desperately needed.