Reform drug policy or risk more deaths, UK Gov warned
The UK government needs more satisfactory guidelines for drug use, or expect a rise in deaths from drug poisonings.
Specialists in drug addiction have cautioned that the UK government must come up with more satisfactory guidelines for illegal substance use, or to expect a rise in deaths from drug poisonings.
Data issued by the Office for National Statistics recently has revealed that the number of people dying from drug poisoning is now at its highest level on record.
2023 saw 5,448 deaths, a boost of over 11% since 2022, which previously was the highest year on record. Nearly 50% of those deaths are linked to opioids. The areas most affected appear to be the north-east and north-west of England and Wales. It is believed that the number of deaths will continue to increase until the open drug testing becomes open and normalised.
“It has become quite clear that we can’t just ban things, because the drugs we ban just get replaced with stronger and stronger drugs,” she said. “We need to think outside the box.” Prof Fiona Measham, chair in criminology at Liverpool University and founder of national drug testing organisation The Loop.
Currently, in the UK, on-site drug testing is feasible. However, institutions that desire to do so must acquire a licence from the Home Office, which can cost thousands of pounds and take months to be approved.
The Loop runs drug testing services across the country and also opened England’s first regular drug testing service in Bristol earlier this year. It hopes these positive effects can be emulated in other areas of the country where drug abuse is rampant.
The current elevation in opioid deaths has been linked partly to the increase of synthetic opioids, which have become more common and easily available on the streets.
Synthetic opioids are much stronger than standard opioids, which brings with it an increased risk of overdose. The synthetic opioid nitazene for example has been discovered in heroin, amphetamines and vapes.
Despite the existence of proof that a compassionate approach to drug use has worked in other countries, the UK remains stubborn.
“We know that there are 20 countries around the world that use drug consumption rooms and that there hasn’t been a single death in one of those rooms,” he said. “People go in there to use all sorts safely, with medical staff on hand. If we know something works, why aren’t we doing it? It blows my mind that we know what the solutions are but we don’t do them.” -George Charlton, addiction support consultant.
What are the Government Saying?
In January of 2024, a Home Office representative for the Conservative government commented: “We do not support the introduction of drug consumption rooms in England and Wales, due to significant concerns they risk encouraging drug use.”
Many believe that the stigma held towards users makes it more difficult for many users to look for professional help.
A spokesperson for the current government commented “Drug-related deaths are tragically at record highs and this new government is committed to gripping this problem. We are also highly alert to the threat of emerging synthetic drugs. We will work across health, policing and wider public services to drive down drug use, including synthetic opioids, and make our streets safer.”
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