News and communications

The government responds to the ACMD's report on recently encountered novel benzodiazepines and related compounds.

• Updated: 14 May 2024

• The government response to the ACMD’s advice on recently encountered novel benzodiazepines (accessible)

  Professor Owen Bowden-Jones, Chair, Advisory Council on the Misuse of…

Government response to the report by the Advisory Council on the Misuse of Drugs on acyl piperazine opioids, including 2-methyl-AP-237.

• Updated: 14 May 2024

• Government response to ACMD report on acyl piperazine opioids (accessible)

  Professor Owen Bowden-Jones, Chair, Advisory Council on the Misuse of…

New 10-year plan to expand and improve the drug and alcohol workforce published.

• Updated: 14 May 2024

The government will place 6 new synthetic opioids under the strictest level of control.

• Updated: 14 May 2024

Minister for Crime, Policing and Fire promotes the UK’s balanced approach towards tackling drug use, with a focus on the challenge of synthetic opioids.

• Updated: 23 April 2024

The government commissions the Advisory Council on the Misuse of Drugs (ACMD) to review the fees applicable under the hemp licensing regime.

• Updated: 9 April 2024

ACMD work programme 2024 letter to the Home Secretary from the Chair of the Advisory Council on the Misuse of Drugs (ACMD).

• Updated: 5 April 2024

The expansion of testing on arrest across England and Wales has seen nearly 100,000 drug tests on suspects whose behaviour was believed to have been driven by their drug abuse.

• Updated: 3 April 2024

Government response to the report by the Advisory Council on the Misuse of Drugs on xylazine, medetomidine and detomidine.

• Updated: 21 March 2024

Draws attention to 2 statutory instruments which amend the Misuse of Drugs Act 1971 and associated regulations to control and schedule 20 new drugs.

• Updated: 20 March 2024

The latest annual report from the National Poisons Information Service (NPIS) shows a marked increase in activity related to nitrous oxide and ketamine.

• Updated: 9 January 2024

The government responds to advice from the Advisory Council on the Misuse of Drugs (ACMD) on preventing drug misuse among vulnerable groups of people.

• Updated: 15 December 2023

Every local authority across England to be allocated additional funding to help combat drug and alcohol misuse.

• Updated: 13 November 2023

The government responds to a report by the Advisory Council on the Misuse of Drugs and commissions Part 2 of work on barriers to research.

• Updated: 23 October 2023

Watch the moment an immigration offender tries to escape cannabis farm before arrest.

• Updated: 5 October 2023

The government responds to a report by the Advisory Council on the Misuse of Drugs (ACMD) regarding NHS England proposals on electronic prescribing.

• Updated: 29 September 2023

The Home Secretary has today announced the reappointment of Professor Owen Bowden-Jones as the chair of the ACMD.

• Updated: 4 September 2023

Call for evidence from the Advisory Council on the Misuse of Drugs on the prevalence and drivers of powder cocaine use by young people and adults.

• Updated: 30 August 2023

Twelve projects awarded a share of £5 million to reduce rates of fatal drug overdoses, as part of Vaccine Taskforce style approach to tackle health challenges.

• Updated: 29 August 2023

Government response to the ACMD review of the evidence on the use and harms of diphenidine.

• Updated: 10 August 2023