Parliamentary Search

Written question asked by Jeff Smith (Labour) on Thursday, 27 October 2022, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Monday, 31 October 2022. It was answered by Neil O'Brien (Conservative) on Friday, 4 November 2022 on behalf of the Department of Health and Social Care.

Drugs: Rehabilitation

Question

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what progress the Government has made on investing in innovative research and treatment as part of a holistic approach to the treatment of drug addiction since the publication of Dame Carol Black's Review of Drugs.

Answer

On 6 December 2021, the Government published a long-term drugs strategy, ‘From harm to hope’, in response to Dame Carol Black’s review. The strategy accepts all of the review’s recommendations, including improving research. The Office for Health Improvement and Disparities has identified a number of research projects which are being commissioned through the National Institute of Health Research (NIHR). The first project began in August 2022, which will examine drug use within minority ethnic groups.

Additionally, the Office for Life Sciences are implementing an 'addiction healthcare mission', with an investment of £30 million over three years. The mission aims to enhance the United Kingdom’s research environment, encourage innovative treatments and technologies to support recovery and reduce the harm and deaths these addictions cause. The Department and the Joint Combating Drugs Unit have also launched a new £5 million innovation fund with the NIHR. This will develop and evaluate innovative pilot projects which aim to reduce recreational drug use and phase 1 projects are expected to commence in March 2023.

Secondary information

Type
Written question
Reference
73043
Session
2022-23
Subjects
Drugs Medical treatments Rehabilitation Research Addictions Drugs Independent Review
Link
View this Written question on www.parliament.uk