CPS Public Policy Exchange: The National Drug Strategy Symposium: Building on the Past, Solutions for the Future

Since the 1998 launch of the ten year drug strategy Tackling Drugs to Build a Better Britain there have been many positive strides in the fight against drugs and the dangers they pose to public health and community safety, but the struggle is by no means over.  Although the percentage of people using illicit drugs has declined over the last ten years, the use of dangerous Class A drugs has remained stable, burdening the UK with an estimated £15 billion in economic and social costs, with the proportion of cocaine users actually climbing.  The 1998 strategy highlighted the need to improve the accessibility of drug treatment and rehabilitation facilities, with recent statistics indicating notable successes in reducing waiting times and exceeding the targets for participation in programmes.

Building on the progress made in recent years and responding to new concerns, such as the recent explosion of large scale cannabis grow houses, the government has devised a new ten year policy, Drugs: Protecting Families and Communities - the 2008 Drug Strategy, and a 2008-2011 Action Plan.  The new package of measures centre’s around four main objectives:

• Protecting communities through robust enforcement to tackle drug supply, drug-related crime and antisocial behaviour
• Delivering new approaches to drug treatment and social re-integration
• Improving public information campaigns, communications and community engagement
• Preventing harm to children, young people and families affected by drug misuse

It will provide an invaluable opportunity for stakeholders and local practitioners including police, local authorities and health services to assess the key objectives of the new strategy.  Delegates will consider how improved services can be implemented fully and effectively through a coherent partnership approach to begin to finally break the cycle of drug use and associated crime that affects all too many families and communities in this country.

This one-day national symposium will take place on Tuesday 30 September 2008 at One Whitehall Place, Westminster, London and will include the following speakers:

• Matthew Scott, Substance Misuse Team Leader, Young People at Risk Division, Department for Children, Schools & Families
• Det. Supt. Neil Wilson, Drugs Directorate, Metropolitan Police Service
• Prof. Colin Drummond, Professor of Addiction Psychiatry, National Addiction Centre, King's College London
• Nick Evans, Project Manager, Addaction Liverpool
• Mark Morton, DAAT Coordinator, London Borough of Camden

For an Overview and Registration details, please refer to the official website of this PPE event.  Please feel free to circulate this information to relevant colleagues within your institutions.  Should you/your colleagues wish to attend, please contact PPE direct in order to secure your delegate place(s).


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