Our response to the Health and Social Care Committee’s inquiry on health harms and drug policy

Collective Voice has responded to the Health and Social Care Committee’s inquiry on health harms and drug policy.

In our submission we address questions including

• What is the extent of health harms resulting from drug use?
• How effective and evidence-based is treatment provision?
• What would a high-quality, evidence-based response to drugs look like?

As well as noting the health harms (both mental and physical) which can arise from drug use, we observe the frequency with which health issues exist alongside related challenges such as involvement in the criminal justice system, homelessness and domestic abuse. We stress how only genuine and joined-up political will ultimately lead to the sustainable and protected funding needed to deliver effective networks of services that reduce both physical and mental health harms. Finally, we outline some of the essential characteristics of a ‘gold standard’ treatment and support system.

To read the full submission – click here.