Misuse Drugs Act 1971

Dear Constituent,

On Thursday (17 June 2021), the House of Commons debated the Misuse of Drugs Act 1971.

The Misuse of Drugs Act outlines the legal framework for restrictions on the use of controlled drugs and apples to the whole of the UK.

Drug misuse, and its wider causes and effects, is a huge issue for our country. Drug abuse and addiction has a shattering and pervasive impact on people in our communities and across the country. It causes not only desperation for individuals and families but also for wider society.

Worryingly, the harms resulting from illegal drug use and the tragedy of drug-related deaths have been on a disturbing trajectory for several years. In 2019, there were nearly 4,500 drug-related deaths in England and Wales – the highest level since records began. The total cost to society of illegal drugs, including drug-related crime and social harm, is estimated to stand at £20 billion.

As a country, we are not in the position we would want to be on this issue.

I believe the focus most be on protecting the public by reducing harm – to users and communities – and tackling the insidious crime that underpins it. We need effective prevention and early intervention measures, properly resourced education programmes, and to tackle social issues such as poverty and poor housing. We also need to build and support substantive health support services for vulnerable people, based on dignity, respect and clinical need.

Thank you for taking the time to contact me on this matter

Yours Sincerely,

Peter Dowd MP