Written statement to Parliament

Publication of the government drug strategy

Baroness Neville Jones: My Hon Friend the parliamentary undersecretary of state for crime prevention (James Brokenshire) has…

This was published under the 2010 to 2015 Conservative and Liberal Democrat coalition government
The Rt Hon James Brokenshire

House of Lords

Baroness Neville Jones: My Hon Friend the parliamentary undersecretary of state for crime prevention (James Brokenshire) has today made the following written ministerial statement:
I am pleased to announce that we are today publishing the cross-government drug strategy ‘Reducing demand, restricting supply, building recovery - supporting people to live a drug-free life’. The strategy sets out a fundamentally different approach to preventing drug use in our communities and in supporting recovery from drug and alcohol dependence.

In a major change to government policy, the strategy puts recovery at the heart of our response, with more responsibility on individuals to seek help and overcome their dependency. The strategy sets out a more holistic approach to supporting people dependent on drugs or alcohol, not just through treatment, but also by addressing offending, employment and housing issues, all of which are critical to overcoming drug or alcohol abuse.

This is an ambitious strategy aimed at reducing demand. It takes an uncompromising approach to cracking down on those involved in drug supply, both at home and abroad. There will be renewed focus on seizing the assets of those involved in the drugs trade and we will strengthen our ability to respond swiftly to so called ‘legal highs’.

Power and accountability to tackle drugs and the harms they cause will be passed to local areas. With the introduction of police and crime commissioners, the reform of the NHS and the creation of Public Health England, local partnerships will be responsible for designing and commissioning services that meet the needs of their communities.

We received over 1,800 responses to the targeted consultation held over the summer and we are grateful to all those who responded and, in doing so, supported the development
of this strategy.

The drug strategy will be available on the Home Office website and will be placed in the House libraries.

House of Commons

parliamentary undersecretary of state for crime prevention (James Brokenshire) has today made the following written ministerial statement:
I am pleased to announce that we are today publishing the cross-government drug strategy ‘Reducing demand, restricting supply, building recovery - supporting people to live a drug-free life’. The strategy sets out a fundamentally different approach to preventing drug use in our communities and in supporting recovery from drug and alcohol dependence.

In a major change to government policy, the strategy puts recovery at the heart of our response, with more responsibility on individuals to seek help and overcome their dependency. The strategy sets out a more holistic approach to supporting people dependent on drugs or alcohol, not just through treatment, but also by addressing offending, employment and housing issues, all of which are critical to overcoming drug or alcohol abuse.

This is an ambitious strategy aimed at reducing demand. It takes an uncompromising approach to cracking down on those involved in drug supply, both at home and abroad. There will be renewed focus on seizing the assets of those involved in the drugs trade and we will strengthen our ability to respond swiftly to so called ‘legal highs’.

Power and accountability to tackle drugs and the harms they cause will be passed to local areas. With the introduction of police and crime commissioners, the reform of the NHS and the creation of Public Health England, local partnerships will be responsible for designing and commissioning services that meet the needs of their communities.

We received over 1,800 responses to the targeted consultation held over the summer and we are grateful to all those who responded and, in doing so, supported the development
of this strategy.

The drug strategy will be available on the Home Office website and will be placed in the House libraries.

Wednesday, 8 December 2010

Date: Wed Dec 08 13:25:17 GMT 2010

Published 8 December 2010