Commons Sense

House of Commons · Westminster Hall

Dame Carol Black’s Independent Review of Drugs Report

27 October 2021 · 10 other contributors · 8,411 words

Opened by Dan Carden Lab Liverpool Walton

Responding minister: Maggie Throup

Summarised by AI from the official record, so it can contain mistakes.

Read the full transcript on Parliament.uk

At a glance

Dan Carden raised concerns about dame carol black’s independent review of drugs report in Westminster Hall. A government minister responded.

Key points

  • The report concludes that current drug treatment and recovery provision is not fit for purpose.
  • Drug misuse costs the UK over 20 billion annually, while spending on prevention and treatment is just 650 million.
  • Drug-related deaths have risen 60% in the last decade to an all-time high.

Key requests to Government

The Government is urged to find £1.78 billion over five years to implement Dame Carol Black's recommendations fully. If unable to provide the full amount, it should at least target areas most in need and pilot a whole-systems approach. The money must not be thinly spread but directed where it can make the biggest impact.

How the debate unfolded

MPs spoke in turn to share their views and ask questions. Here's what each person said.

Opened the debate

Dan Carden Lab Liverpool Walton

The report concludes that the current provision for drug treatment and recovery is not fit for purpose. It highlights a significant funding gap, with drug misuse costing upwards of £20 billion annually while spending on prevention and treatment stands at just £650 million. Drug-related deaths have hit an all-time high, rising 60% in the last decade. Additionally, there are issues with stigma, fragmented services, and inadequate support for those suffering from co-occurring mental health issues.

Other contributors (10)
  • Andy McDonald Lab Middlesbrough and Thornaby East

    The north-east has the highest drug-related deaths rate. The heroin-assisted treatment programme in Middlesbrough, funded by proceeds of crime, has been successful with a significant reduction in crimes committed by participants and improved mental wellbeing.

  • Crispin Blunt Con Reigate

    The MP called for the Minister to work together with Opposition colleagues and those with a specialist interest in drug addiction issues, urging that this not be used as political football due to the severity of the crisis.

  • Jim Shannon DUP Strangford

    Commends the hon. Member for bringing the issue to debate, emphasizing the need for urgent treatment of alcoholism alongside drug addiction and supporting families in rehabilitation without punitive measures.

  • Jon Ashworth Lab Leicester South

    The MP commended the Independent Review of Drugs Report and highlighted serious issues related to addiction, including more than 7,000 alcohol-related deaths in England and Wales last year. He criticised cuts to public health funding, noting that drug and alcohol addiction services have lost £122 million in recent years. Ashworth urged for cross-party collaboration on tackling the crisis.

  • Mary Glindon Lab Newcastle upon Tyne East and Wallsend

    Congratulates Dan Carden on securing the debate, introduces Dame Carol Black's report focusing on earlier interventions to divert offenders from criminal justice. Cites Ron Hogg's checkpoint scheme as pioneering work in drug diversion. Highlights record levels of drug-related deaths and high rates of drug misuse in the north-east. Supports ringfenced funding for treatment providers and calls for stability for long-term plans.

  • Patrick Grady

    Mr Grady underscored Scotland's high drug death rates, calling for swift adoption of Dame Carol Black's recommendations. He highlighted the Scottish Government's commitment to additional funding of £250 million over five years and mentioned support for reforming the Misuse of Drugs Act as well as initiatives like prevention facilities and heroin-assisted treatment. Mr Grady also advocated for recovery rights outlined in the charter by Faces and Voices of Recovery UK, which seeks to ensure respect and dignity for those recovering from addiction.

  • Rachael Maskell Lab Co-op York Central

    Ms Maskell highlighted the urgent need to address drug use, noting that nearly 3 million people have used drugs in the last year and over 4,561 individuals lost their lives. She emphasized the importance of moving towards a public health framework, advocating for a central drugs unit within the Cabinet Office to bring departments together and focus on evidence-based interventions such as diversion from criminal justice systems into educational pathways and mentoring programs.

  • Rachel Hopkins Lab Luton South and South Bedfordshire

    Drug misuse has had a devastating impact on UK society, costing over £19 billion per year. The number of drug-related deaths has increased by 80% since 2012. Access to addiction treatment is now a postcode lottery with more than half of state-funded residential addiction rehabilitation centres closing in the last eight years and funding cuts for youth services.

  • Ronnie Cowan SNP Ayr South

    Mr Cowan is frustrated with the inadequacies of the current drug policy system and supports Dame Carol Black's comprehensive recommendations. He criticises the UK Government for potentially picking and choosing which recommendations to implement, instead of addressing the issue comprehensively through health-focused reforms. Mr Cowan also highlights that the Misuse of Drugs Act 1971 has worsened the situation, while the Home Office's intransigence remains a significant barrier to progress.

  • Tommy Sheppard

    Endorses Dame Carol Black's review but questions the limitations set by the framework she was given, suggesting a review of the Misuse of Drugs Act 1971 to ensure an up-to-date legal framework for addressing drug problems.

Government Response

Maggie Throup

It is a pleasure to serve under your chairmanship, Ms Fovargue. I congratulate the hon. Member for Liverpool, Walton on securing this extremely important debate and pay tribute to his work on addiction and personal experience in previous debates. The drug and alcohol addiction sector faces challenges with drug misuse deaths on the rise for many years and currently at a record high across most of the United Kingdom. Dame Carol Black's independent review highlights the need for better treatment and recovery services, which is why we are making improvements to these areas through the £148 million crime package announced in January this year, including an £80 million allocation to local authorities for drug treatment and recovery services—the largest increase in 15 years. We have established a new joint combating drugs unit to co-ordinate and drive a whole-of-Government approach to tackle drug policy across society. The Government are committed to responding to Dame Carol's review in full by the end of this year, setting out a long-term drug strategy and ensuring that everyone with a drug problem can access compassionate and person-centred support.

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