Submission to the Committee on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights

Our joint submission with Harm Reduction International (HRI), the International Drug Policy Consortium (IDPC) and Radical Acts to Survive (RATS) addresses the critical issue of drug-related deaths in the UK and responds specifically to Question 37 of the Committee’s inquiries. It also highlights the alarming increase in drug-related fatalities in the UK, particularly driven by opioids, emphasising the need for urgent governmental action to address this public health crisis.

Main Arguments

1. Crisis of drug-related deaths: The submission underscores that drug misuse deaths have risen consistently since 2012, with a dramatic 113% increase in the last decade. It indicates that the UK is in a public health drug-related emergency exacerbated by the increasing presence of synthetic opioids.
2. Disparities across regions: Drug-related deaths vary significantly across the UK, with Scotland experiencing rates comparable to North America. The submission argues that socioeconomic inequalities contribute heavily to these disparities, with marginalised communities disproportionately affected by punitive drug policies and rising fatalities.
3. Ineffectiveness of current approaches: The submission criticises the government’s response to the crisis, which has emphasised law enforcement and punitive measures rather than focusing on health-centered strategies like harm reduction, treatment accessibility, and the decriminalisation of drug use.
4. Need for harm reduction services: The submission urges the UK government to follow the recommendations of various committees and UN bodies by decriminalising the possession of drugs for personal use and establishing life-saving interventions such as drug consumption rooms and drug checking services. Legal barriers and stigma around drug use prevent vulnerable populations from accessing necessary health services.
5. Limitations of treatment options: The submission points out that existing opioid substitution therapies are limited and often come with restrictive conditions that dissuade people from seeking help. It calls for a broader range of treatment options and improvements in healthcare access for marginalised communities.
6. Recommendations for policy change: Several recommendations were made, including to increase long-term funding for drug treatment and harm reduction services, adopt low-threshold access policies, improve public health campaigns to educate about drug use risks, and ensure that policymaking includes input from people with lived experience of drug use.
7. Addressing social determinants of health: The submission concludes that addressing the societal inequalities and promoting economic and housing justice are vital to improving health outcomes for people who use drugs and ultimately reducing drug-related deaths.

In summary, the submission calls for a substantial shift in how the UK government approaches drug use and drug-related harms, advocating for evidence-based, health-focused strategies that prioritize the rights and dignity of individuals affected by drug policy.