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A turning point for UK drug policy: opportunity or stasis

A turning point for UK drug policy: opportunity or stasis PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to explore the current policy stasis in UK drug policy.Design/methodology/approachThis paper examines reports, statistics and policy statements by government agencies.FindingsDelays in revising a national strategy appear to have no clear explanation. Responses to drugs issues, including drug-related deaths, appear to lack urgency or concern at a policy making level.Research limitations/implicationsComplacency and lack of regard to evidence appear to inform current policy and strategy. Ways of overcoming this stasis are not identified.Practical implicationsThere is a need for factors leading to reform and change to be identified and implemented, by government and others.Social implicationsThe situations and needs of drug users do not appear as a government priority. Continued reductions in public spending – austerity – are reducing treatment provision.Originality/valueThe paper attempts to identify factors which inhibit policy reform in the UK so that future reform becomes more realistic. http://www.deepdyve.com/assets/images/DeepDyve-Logo-lg.png Drugs and Alcohol Today Emerald Publishing

A turning point for UK drug policy: opportunity or stasis

Stothard, Blaine
Drugs and Alcohol Today , Volume 17 (2): 6 – Jun 5, 2017
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References (3)

Publisher
Emerald Publishing
Copyright
Copyright © Emerald Group Publishing Limited
ISSN
1745-9265
DOI
10.1108/DAT-03-2017-0008
Publisher site
See Article on Publisher Site

Abstract

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to explore the current policy stasis in UK drug policy.Design/methodology/approachThis paper examines reports, statistics and policy statements by government agencies.FindingsDelays in revising a national strategy appear to have no clear explanation. Responses to drugs issues, including drug-related deaths, appear to lack urgency or concern at a policy making level.Research limitations/implicationsComplacency and lack of regard to evidence appear to inform current policy and strategy. Ways of overcoming this stasis are not identified.Practical implicationsThere is a need for factors leading to reform and change to be identified and implemented, by government and others.Social implicationsThe situations and needs of drug users do not appear as a government priority. Continued reductions in public spending – austerity – are reducing treatment provision.Originality/valueThe paper attempts to identify factors which inhibit policy reform in the UK so that future reform becomes more realistic.

Journal

Drugs and Alcohol Today – Emerald Publishing

Published: Jun 5, 2017

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