National Drug Strategy
The National Drug Strategy – our guiding framework
Reducing the harm caused by illegal drugs is the central objective of the Government’s National Drug Strategy (NDS), originally launched in 1998.
The “Tackling Drugs, Changing Lives” progress report in 2004 and the updated National Drug Strategy 2008-18, “Drugs: protecting families and communities” prioritise families and communities where drug and alcohol misuse is causing problems. The social and economic re-integration of problem drug and alcohol misusers is targeted as a priority outcome.
The death of “Baby Peter” in London underlined the issue of hidden harm and the critical importance of early identification and prevention. The new strategy also proposes targeting effort and investment where most difference can be made.
Illicit drug use and the majority of its associated costs to society – estimated at some £15 billion pounds nationally per year – are closely linked to the most deprived communities and individuals with the most complex needs.
The benefits of effective treatments are clear, not just in transforming individual lives and rebuilding community cohesion, but also in genuine financial gains to society. For every £1 spent on drug treatment it is estimated that £9.50 is saved in associated crime and health service costs.
The NDS provides the national framework for Drug Action Teams like the LDAAT to deliver locally the four main strategic themes;
- Protecting communities by identifying drug misusing offenders and providing improved responses to divert them out of crime
- Preventing harm to children, young people and families affected by drug misuse
- Delivering new approaches to drug treatment and social re-integration
- Developing public information campaigns to build community confidence in the work being done to tackle drug misuse