12-08-2006
Debating the UK Drugs Strategy
A table looking at the ups and downs of the strategy, and an invitation to respond on the good and bad things the it has brought for individuals and communities thus far.
Russell Newcombe,
Lifeline, August 2006
Good Things |
Bad Things |
|||
| International policy context | ||||
| UN Conventions | International framework | Restricts national laws etc | ||
| EU policy | Europe-wide framework | Restricts national strategy | ||
| National Strategy | ||||
| Resources | Increased funding 1998-2007 | Situation after 2008 unclear | ||
| Drug legislation | Controls prescribing/dispensing | Excludes alcohol & tobacco | ||
| Law Enforcement on Trafficking | Resources focused on Class A drugs & drug traffickers | Intent to supply offence discriminates against heavy users | ||
| Law Enforcement on Possession | Possession penalised less severely than trafficking | Most seizures/offences are possession & involve cannabis | ||
| Treatment & Rehabilitation | Maintenance as well as detox | Small doses, limited options | ||
| Prevention & Education | Drug education in most schools | Primary prevention has failed | ||
| Abstinence | Unprecedented anti-drug efforts | Prevalence still rising or level | ||
| Harm Reduction | HR is major aim/target of DS | HR approach is in infancy | ||
| Local strategies/services | ||||
| Drug Action Teams | Tailor national DS to local needs | Lack user representation | ||
| Prescribing | Methadone for heroin addicts | Few other drugs prescribed | ||
| Needle exchange | Widespread and developed | ‘Clean plate to eat dirty food’ | ||
| Advice/information | Fear-arousal rarely utilised now | Safer use info is limited | ||
| Counselling & Support | Key workers for each client | Anti-drug ideology not useful | ||
| User/Community groups | Represented on local DAT | Few resources/little power | ||
| Prisons | Protects society from dealers | Not best place for rehabilitation | ||
| Drug-related problems | ||||
| Crime (esp. acq uisitive) | DS has reduced much acq-crime | Violent acq-crime on rise | ||
| Mental disorder | Dual diagnosis being dealt with | Most cases not being helped | ||
| Infectious diseases (eg. HIV) | DS prioritises HIV prevention | DS makes IDUs hard to find | ||
| Physical damage (eg. veins) | NX promotes safer injecting | Adulterants cause damage | ||
| Deaths (eg. overdose) | DS aims to reduce deaths | Deaths partly caused by laws | ||
| Specific issues | ||||
| Drug testing | Reduces risks on road etc. | Violates work/school rights | ||
| Mass media | Inform public about issues | Perpetuate WoD mythology | ||
| Research & monitoring | Drug Harm Index developed NDTMS expanded etc. |
DHI & NDTMS very limited |
Key :
DS drug strategy
HR harm reduction
IDUs injecting drug users
MODA Misuse of Drugs Act 1971
WoD War on Drugs
DAT Drug Action Team
NDTMS National Drug Treatment Monitoring System
