In 2021, there were 4,859 deaths reported deaths related to drug poisoning. In this video, the Home Office Joint Combatting Drugs Unit share the latest guidance for tackling drug and substance misuse, highlighting how authorities can learn from high performing areas to reduce drug rates.
The tragic death of Daniel Spargo-Mabbs highlighted the lack of awareness and understanding around drugs among both young adults and parents. His mother, Fiona, founder of the Daniel Spargo-Mabbs Foundation, explains the importance of being realistic about drugs in order to save young lives.
Every area has a distinct homeless cohort, and blanket policies are not the answer. Councillor Trish Hardy of Sefton Metropolitan Borough Council explains that treating each area as unique and taking the time to learn the intricacies of the rough sleeping population is vital to helping individuals.
It is argued that the approach to drug addiction taken in the UK for the past 30 years has been a failure. Crispin Blunt MP, co-Chair of the APPG for Drug Policy Reform, explores the example of Portugal and how the UK can bring its policies in line with the overwhelming bulk of new evidence.