| PUBLICATIONS < back to Our reports and findings Reports are only available as downloads and cannot be ordered in hard copy. The views and conclusions of reports commissioned by UKDPC are those of the authors and not necessarily those of the Commission. DRUG ENFORCEMENT IN AN AGE OF AUSTERITY Police forces, like many other organisations and agencies, are experiencing cuts to their budget. Alongside this are changes to the way in which policing priorities and direction will be set with responsibility passing to the proposed elected Police and Crime Commissioners. To identify different perspectives on what change is occurring at local levels and the impact this may have on drug-related policing activities, a questionnaire was distributed to all English forces and Basic Command Units (BCUs). In all, 74% of forces, and 25% of BCUs and 9 other units responded. This briefing describes the key findings from this survey and a workshop of police officers working in drug enforcement. It suggests that the continuing pressure to save money and identify efficiences may be leading to a greater focus on policing the most visible and pressing issues in the short term. If this is at the expense of activities of long term and 'deeper' benefit, it might have a negative impact on other key policy initiatives. The report can be downloaded here:  Drug enforcement in an age of austerity [PDF 241 KB] BY THEIR FRUITS… APPLYING PAYMENT BY RESULTS TO DRUGS RECOVERY Following an expert seminar to explore the issues around applying payment by results to drug recovery, this briefing reviews the possible impacts of the introduction of this funding system for treatment and recovery services for problem drug users. It outlines how payment by results works, examines how payment by results has been used elsewhere, and discusses the issues and challenges that will affect its introduction for drug treatment. The briefing concludes that there is wide support for a more outcome-based system of funding and purchasing services, and for a greater focus on recovery and social reintegration. The direction of travel is welcomed, but the devil is in the details. A cautious approach combined with thorough and robust evaluation is of particular importance given that the approach being taken to payment by results in recovery is going into uncharted territories and is effectively a social experiment with a particularly vulnerable group. This work is part of a wider UKDPC project considering the impact on drug services of a move towards greater localism in a period of financial austerity. The report, including a short summary, can be downloaded here: By their fruits... Applying payment by results to drugs recovery [PDF 260 KB] Immediately following the seminar, headline issues were drawn out as detailed in the following short report: Payment by results seminar - headline issues [PDF 68.5 KB] The presentations from the seminar are available here. TAKING DRUGS SERIOUSLY: A DEMOS AND UK DRUG POLICY COMMISSION REPORT ON LEGAL HIGHS The proliferation of new psychoactive substances, or ‘legal highs’, in recent years has thrown the existing regulatory measures for drugs into sharp relief. As quickly as policy makers seek to control new substances through the Misuse of Drugs Act, others are being manufactured and put on the market. The effects of these new substances are unknown and untested; it is this uncertainty combined with easy accessibility that presents major challenges to public safety. However, these challenges also provide an opportunity to look again at drug control policy without a rerun of redundant debates about whether to be ‘tough’ or ‘soft’ on drugs. Instead, this report adopts a systems approach and considers drug policy as a ‘wicked issue’ to which there is no solution, and no ultimate winners or losers. It is 40 years since the Misuse of Drugs Act became law, and the ‘drug problem’ is no nearer being solved. Taking Drugs Seriously argues that it is time for a new approach to policy making, legislation and debate on drugs issues, focusing on developing consensus while building better evidence about what works. The report can be downloaded here: Taking Drugs Seriously: A Demos and UK Drug Policy Commission report on legal highs [PDF 654 KB]A background paper, which reviewed international experiences of regulating new psychoactive substances, was prepared for this project by Professor Peter Reuter of the University of Maryland, and published by UKDPC. It can be downloaded here: Options for regulating new psychoactive drugs: a review of recent experiences [PDF 486 KB]GETTING SERIOUS ABOUT STIGMA: THE PROBLEM WITH STIGMATISING DRUG USERS This report provides an overview of the findings of a wide ranging research project looking at the extent and nature of stigma towards current and ex-drug users and their families. The research programme involved a public attitudes survey, an analysis of how drug use and drug users are portrayed in the print media and a qualitative study of the stigma experienced by current and ex-users and their families. This research shows that people with a history of drug problems are heavily stigmatised and are seen as both blameworthy and to be feared. As a result they are subject to exclusion and discrimination in many areas. The stigmatisation of people with drug problems has serious consequences for government policy. Key policies seeking greater reintegration and recovery and moving people from benefits into work will not succeed while stigmatising attitudes are pervasive and, as a result, drug problems will remain entrenched rather than overcome. Experience from other fields, such as mental health, show that stigma can be reduced and the report suggests key areas for action. The overview report and 2-page summary can be downloaded here: Getting Serious About Stigma: the problem with stigmatising drug users. An Overview [PDF 3,609 KB] Getting Serious About Stigma: the problem with stigmatising drug users. A summary of findings [PDF 1,193 KB]The three background research reports can be downloaded here: Attitudes to Drug Dependence: Results from a Survey of People Living in Private Households in the UK [PDF 1,989 KB] Representations of Drug Use and Drug Users in the British Press: A Content Analysis of Newspaper Coverage [PDF 799 KB]The report and 2-page summary for Scotland can be downloaded here: Getting Serious About Stigma in Scotland: the problem with stigmatising drug users [PDF 466 KB] Getting Serious About Stigma in Scotland: the problem with stigmatising drug users. A summary of findings [PDF 77 KB]Experiences of stigma – everyday barriers for drug users and their families (forthcoming) SINNING & SINNED AGAINST: THE STIGMATISATION OF PROBLEM DRUG USERS This report by Charlie Lloyd (University of York) aims to summarise what the research evidence has to tell us about the stigmatisation of problem drug users; to explore the nature of this stigmatisation, its impacts and why it happens. These considerations raise some fundamental issues about the nature of addiction and the extent to which it is seen as a moral, medical or social issue. They also raise important questions about autonomy and the blame attached to addiction. The report is the first instalment of a wider research project, funded by the Paul Hamlyn Foundation with additional funding from the Scottish Drug Recovery Consortium, which will also include: i) a public attitudes survey (modelled on the Department of Health annual attitudes to mental illness survey) ii) with a study of the experiences of users and families iii) an analysis of how drug users are portrayed in the media. The report can be downloaded here: Sinning & Sinned Against: The Stigmatisation of Problem Drug Users [PDF 534 KB]DRUGS & DIVERSITY: THE IMPACT OF DRUGS ON DIFFERENT MINORITY GROUPS These wide-ranging reports describe what is known about treatment and prevention within diverse communities, including LGBT groups, disabled people and BME communities. The aim of the review was to encourage greater consideration of the needs and challenges of drug problems for minority groups, by bringing together a variety of evidence in one place The study suggests that mainstream services are not always meeting the needs of diverse communities. The reports present challenges for commissioners of and practitioners within drug services, as well for the criminal justice system and wider drug policy makers. The findings from the study together with key implications for policy and practice can be found summarised in the four briefing papers below: Drugs and Diversity: An overview of implications for policy and practice [PDF 987 KB] Ethnic minority groups [PDF 263 KB] Lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) communities [PDF 1058 KB] Disabled people [PDF 995 KB] and the full research findings in the four background research reports here: The Impact of Drugs on Different Minority Groups: A Review of the UK Literature Part 1: Ethnic groups [PDF 522 KB] Part 2: Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender (LGBT) groups [PDF 544 KB] Part 3: Disabled people [PDF 295 KB] The Impact of Drugs on Different Minority Groups: Ethnicity and Drug Treatment [PDF 567 KB] Funding for the study was provided by the Home Office and the background research was undertaken for the UKDPC by the Office for Public Management. SUPPORTING THE SUPPORTERS: FAMILIES OF DRUG MISUSERS This study has estimated that in the UK, at the very least: o nearly 1.5 million adults will be significantly affected by a family member’s drug use; o the cost of the harms they experience as a result amounts to about £1.8 billion per year; and o the support they provide would cost the NHS or Local Authorities about £750 million to provide if it was not available. These figures are minimum estimates, but nevertheless demonstrate the enormous impact of drug use on adult family members and the value derived from the support they provide and highlights the importance of identifying and supporting this often unrecognised group. To build on the welcome increase in focus on families of drug users in national drug policies across the UK and the guidance that has been produced, action is required in the following areas to deliver the desired benefits to families: 1. Improving the level and quality of direct support to help families in their own right 2. Challenging the stigma associated with drug dependency 3. Making the drug treatment system more supportive and inclusive of families 4. Leadership – responsibility for driving forward an agenda to enhance support for families needs to be placed with an identified champion at national and local levels. 5. Information/knowledge development is essential for ensuring the adequacy and appropriateness of service provision – currently even the most basic data is lacking. There are two reports based on this study: the first is a short briefing aimed at key strategy and policy makers and practitioners: UKDPC Supporting the Supporters Policy Briefing [PDF 124 KB] Policy BriefingThe second is the full research report which describes the detailed findings, including estimates for all the countries in the UK and the methods used: UKDPC Families of drug users research report [PDF 425 KB] Research reportREFOCUSING DRUG-RELATED LAW ENFORCEMENT TO ADDRESS HARMS It must not be assumed that arrests of dealers and traffickers and drug seizures will automatically have a positive impact on communities. Although drug laws reinforced by a level of enforcement appear to have contained the illicit drug market to some degree, ‘more’ enforcement generally does not lead to ‘less’ availability because established drug markets are too resilient and adaptable. However, there is an opportunity for enforcement to impact on reducing drug-related harms even when drug markets are entrenched and no reduction in supply is observed. This is because not all drug markets are equally harmful, and the very adaptability of drug markets that frustrates efforts to eradicate supply can provide enforcement with the potential to reshape the market into less ‘noxious’ forms. Enforcement can, for instance:
By consistently curtailing the most harmful aspects of drug markets, this approach may have a more sustainable impact. Traditional enforcement does not deter a significant number from trafficking and dealing as for some, the risk is always worth the gain. However deterring particularly harmful practices may be a successful approach as it is only necessary to make them too risky (with little extra gain) compared to other, less harmful practices. There are two reports which summarise this review: The first is a short briefing aimed at key strategy and policy makers and influencers: Moving towards Real Impact Drug Enforcement [PDF 183KB] - Briefing PaperThe second is a full review report which includes desk research, case study examples and practical tools for adopting a harm-focussed approach: Refocusing Drug-Related Law Enforcement to Address Harms [PDF 660KB] - Full Review ReportFor more information see: '2009 Tackling drug supply awards: Case studies' (a report for the Home Office) 'How can enforcement agencies reduce drug harm?' (Police Professional, September 2008) 'UKDPC Special Edition of 'Safer Communities'' (January 2009) WORKING TOWARDS RECOVERY Studies have shown that up to 80% of problem drug users (PDUs) are unemployed, yet work has been shown to be an important component of rehabilitation and reintegration into society, reducing the likelihood of relapse. More PDUs in work should mean more people successfully achieving recovery and exiting treatment, and a reduction in crime. PDUs on welfare benefits also cost the UK many tens of millions of pounds. Perhaps more importantly, most unemployed PDUs want to work and recognise its significance for building a ‘normal’ life. Once in work, recovering PDUs have been found to be good employees. It can be a significant and long-term challenge to get some PDUs ‘fit for the job’. Many will have a range of ‘primary needs’ such as poor physical and mental health and suitable accommodation, which need to be addressed at an early stage. Many employers are extremely reluctant to recruit PDUs, even those who have the right competencies for the job. The ‘two years drug free’ rule which is sometimes applied is arbitrary and creates a significant barrier to rehabilitation for PDUs who are stable, on substitute medication or otherwise, before reaching that time period. However, employment opportunities can be increased by enabling employers to manage the perceived risks and addressing the stigma that is ass ociated with problem drug use. The review reaches a wide range of conclusions on getting problem drug users ‘fit for the job’ and addressing employers’ concerns. It also raises the possibility of more radical measures such as legal protection and small financial incentives for employers. Working Towards Recovery (summary) [PDF 176KB] Working Towards Recovery (full report) [PDF 748KB]Film to accompany the review [new web page] BACKGROUND PAPERS TO INFORM ‘WORKING TOWARDS RECOVERY’ To help inform our report we commissioned the University of Manchester to carry out some research. This is presented in two parts. Part One examines social security and relevant aspects of employment law and policy, and Part Two uses desk research, qualitative interviews and a survey of employers to focus on barriers to employment and on effective support structures and mechanisms. Part One Background Research - Social security and problem drug users: law and policy [PDF 592KB] Part Two Background Research - Research with service users, providers and employers [PDF 480KB]TACKLING DRUG MARKETS AND DISTRIBUTION NETWORKS IN THE UK Summary of report findings:
Tackling Drug Markets and Distribution Networks (executive summary) [PDF 98KB] Tackling Drug Markets and Distribution Networks (full report) [PDF 632KB]REDUCING DRUG USE, REDUCING REOFFENDING Summary of report findings:
drug courts; community sentences such as DTTOs and DRRs; prison-based therapeutic communities; opioid detoxification and methadone maintenance within prisons and the community; and the RAPt 12-step abstinence-based programme. There are no evaluations of the effectiveness of: CARAT interventions; drug-free wings; programmes based on cognitive behavioural therapy, such as short-duration programmes and ASRO (Addressing Substance Related Offending) programmes; conditional cautions; diversion from prosecution schemes; and Intervention Orders. There is mixed evidence for: Criminal Justice Integrated Teams; Restrictions on Bail; and the added value of drug testing as part of a community order. Reducing Drug Use, Reducing Reoffending (summary) [PDF 116KB] Reducing Drug Use, Reducing Reoffending (full report) [PDF 532KB] BACKGROUND PAPERS TO INFORM 'REDUCING DRUG USE, REDUCING REOFFENDING' To help inform our report we commissioned the Institute for Criminal Policy Research (ICPR) at King’s College London to review the international evidence and their peer-reviewed report is available below. We also consulted with a range of stakeholders including policymakers, p ractitioners and service users and a summary of their feedback has been compiled into a short paper. A review of the evidence by the Institute for Criminal Policy Research [PDF 560KB] Consultations with key stakeholders [PDF 125KB] AN ANALYSIS OF UK DRUG POLICY Summary of report findings:
An Analysis of UK Drug Policy (executive summary) [PDF 93KB] An Analysis of UK Drug Policy (full report) [PDF 1.6MB] |
