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New plan to tackle illegal drugs

27 February 2008

The plan calls for earlier intervention to get drug-using families into treatment, legal rights for police to seize property purchased with drug money, and new approaches to drug treatment.

The government's new ten-year strategy for fighting illegal drugs is designed to ensure that fewer young people ever use drugs, and that those who do use drugs get help to kick the habit and re-establish their lives.

It aims to cut drug-related crime, and to reduce the damage that drugs do in our communities.

This year the government will invest almost £1 billion in the programmes behind the new strategy. This investment will help to:

extend police powers to seize drug dealers’ assets, ensuring that crime doesn't pay
place a more responsibility on drug-users on benefits to get treatment and jobs
tackle drugs through neighbourhood policing
strengthen and extend international agreements to intercept drugs before they reach the UK
focus on families where parents use drugs; and prioritising treatment for parents in order to protect children
try new approaches that allow more flexible use of resources, and more personalised treatment
increase the use of community sentences, including some that require drug rehabilitation
develop support for drug treatment, so that those who quit drugs get training and support so they can get back to work, and re-establishing their lives.

Drug use at 11-year low

Over the last decade, use of illegal drugs in the UK has fallen to an 11-year low. Drug-related crime has dropped by a fifth over the last five years.

Our unprecedented investment in drug treatment has more than doubled the number of people getting treatment - 195,000 in the last year.

Compulsory drug testing of people who have been arrested, backed up by tough punishment - including prison sentences - has contributed to a fall in recorded acquisitive crime.

But tackling drugs remains a formidable social problem. Use of Class A drugs costs the UK £15 billion a year in crime and health costs alone.

Use of illegal drugs 'destroys families'

Home Secretary Jacqui Smith said the strategy well help to reach the government's goal of ensuring that fewer people use drugs.

'Illegal drug use is unacceptable. It wastes lives, destroys families and damages communities,' she said. 'We want those who do use drugs to enter and finish treatment, and move on to lead healthy, drug-free lives.'

She said the government plans to continue to send a clear message that it is on the side of communities.

'We demand respect for the law, and we will not tolerate illegal or anti-social behaviour. But we will provide help for those who are trying to turn their lives around, to get off drugs and into work. However, we expect drug users themselves to take responsibility, and we will help them to do so.'

Tailored approach

Among other things, the government will alter the rules of the benefits system in order to provide a more personalised approach. This will ensure that drug users receive support tailored to their needs.

In return, they will be required to attend drug treatment sessions.

The plan aims to strike the right balance between personal responsibility and governmental support.

So known drug users receiving benefits will be required - as a first step - to attend an assessment for drug treatment.

Health Secretary Alan Johnson pointed out that gains have already been made in terms of treatment, and over the past ten years treatment options have exponentially expanded. More people are getting treatment and they're waiting less time for help.

'Every drug user is different,' he said. 'This strategy ensures that treatment is personalised to suit individual needs. A key element is an innovative new pilot scheme which will help drug users who are on benefits get into treatment, get a job and live a drug-free life.'

Faster treatment for families with drug problems

Children Schools and Families Secretary Ed Balls said only a small minority of parents are drug-users, but even a small number is too many as the situation puts children at risk.

Because of that concern, the new strategy ensures that parents with dependent children will get better and faster access to specialist drug treatment.

'At the heart of the new drugs strategy is recognising the influence of families in tackling the problem,' he said. 'So we will help parents by providing more information and support to help them talk to their children about drugs.

Learn more

Download our public information pamphlet off the Tackling Drugs website. (new window)

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