Chair reappointment to the Advisory Council on the Misuse of Drugs
The Home Secretary, Sajid Javid has today announced the reappointment of Dr Owen Bowden-Jones as the chair of the Advisory Council on the Misuse of Drugs.
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Dr Owen Bowden-Jones’ role as chair of the Advisory Council on the Misuse of Drugs (ACMD) has today (Monday 22 July 2019) been extended to a second term.
This reappointment is for a 3 year term, beginning on 1 January 2020.
The ACMD is an independent expert body which advises the government on drug-related issues, including the control of dangerous or otherwise harmful drugs under the Misuse of Drugs Act 1971.
Home Secretary Sajid Javid said:
I am pleased to announce that Dr Owen Bowden-Jones has been reappointed to the ACMD both as a member and as its chair.
The government is committed to an evidence-based approach to drugs. High quality scientific advice in this complex field is of the utmost importance, which is why we value the vital role of the ACMD.
I want to thank Dr Bowden-Jones for the time and energy he contributes to the Council and for his continued leadership as chairman.
The ACMD is an independent expert body which advises the government on drug-related issues, including the control of dangerous or otherwise harmful drugs under the Misuse of Drugs Act 1971.
Dr Bowden-Jones has been chair of the ACMD since 1 January 2017, and is currently a National Clinical Adviser to the Alcohol, Tobacco and Drugs Division at Public Health England (PHE), providing clinical expertise with a focus on developing national policy and best practice.
Chair of the ACMD, Dr Owen Bowden-Jones said:
I am delighted to continue in the role as Chair of the Advisory Council on the Misuse of Drugs. During my last three years as the Council’s chair, the ACMD has provided many important recommendations to government on a range of key issues. The problems caused by drugs continue to be a significant and constantly evolving challenge and the ACMD is committed to providing the highest quality, evidence-based advice to help tackle these harms.
The ACMD carries out in-depth inquiries into aspects of drug use that are causing particular concern in the UK, with the aim of producing considered reports that will be helpful to policy makers and practitioners. They also look at how people can best be supported to recover from dependence on drugs and how best to prevent drug misuse.