Independent review of drugs, part 1: terms of reference
Published 11 February 2019
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Aim
To carry out a 2-part review of drugs policy.
Part 1 of the review will focus on an assessment of:
- the demographics of drug use - this will look at demand, including who uses which types of drugs, together with patterns of, and motivations for use
- the drugs market
This will look at supply into the UK and how criminals meet the demand of users.
The scope of part 2 will be established once part 1 is completed.
Principles
The review will be conducted independently and will be evidence based. It will draw its conclusions from the evidence, collecting new evidence where appropriate to ensure there is a robust basis for its findings.
Purpose and scope of the review
Part 1 of the review will aim to answer the following questions:
Drug use
- what are the main drivers behind the recent trends in drug use?
- what are the demographics of drug users and how have they changed?
- what are the health and social harms associated with drug use? What are the co-morbidities associated with drug use (for example, dual diagnosis, mental ill health, addictions to other substances)
- what are evidence-based approaches to preventing and reducing drug use?
- what are the most important evidence gaps relating to drug use, and what further work would be needed to address them?
Drug supply
- how has the nature of drug supply changed in recent years?
- what are the characteristics of the organisations and individuals involved in drug supply?
- what causes individuals to become involved in drug supply?
- how is money laundered by organisations supplying drugs, and how can it be detected and prevented?
- how might drug supply evolve in the future, taking into account domestic and international trends?
- what causes drug-related serious violence and how can it be prevented?
- what are evidence-based approaches to preventing drug supply?
- what are the most important evidence gaps relating to drug supply and what further work would be needed to address them.
Reviewer
The review will be led by Professor Dame Carol Black.
Timing
Part 1 of the review will be launched on 8 February and will aim to conclude no later than the summer.
Outputs
A critical review of the demographics of drugs use and the drugs market.
Secretariat
The reviewer will be supported by a secretariat of civil servants who will provide policy, analytical and delivery insight.
Out of scope
The review will not consider changes to the existing legislative framework or government machinery.