New cross-government unit to tackle drug misuse following major independent review

There are now ~300,000 opiate/crack users in England &~1m people using cocaine per year. Drug misuse poisoning deaths are at record high, increased by ~80% since 2012. The Joint Combating Drugs Unit will bring together government departments to tackle drugs misuse across society.

SPS commentary:

This follows publication of Professor Dame Carol Black’s second part of her Independent Review of Drugs, which sets out more than 30 recommendations to government to help overcome the harm drugs have caused to individuals, families and communities across the country. The report calls for significant investment in the drug treatment and recovery system so that more people can get the support they need.

Source:

Department of Health and Social Care

Resource links:

Review of drugs: phase two report

Lancet comment