TY  - JOUR
AB  - Purpose The purpose of this paper is to explore the current policy stasis in UK drug policy.Design/methodology/approach This paper examines reports, statistics and policy statements by government agencies.Findings Delays 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/implications Complacency and lack of regard to evidence appear to inform current policy and strategy. Ways of overcoming this stasis are not identified.Practical implications There is a need for factors leading to reform and change to be identified and implemented, by government and others.Social implications The situations and needs of drug users do not appear as a government priority. Continued reductions in public spending – austerity – are reducing treatment provision.Originality/value The paper attempts to identify factors which inhibit policy reform in the UK so that future reform becomes more realistic.
VL  - 17
IS  - 2
SN  - 1745-9265
DO  - 10.1108/DAT-03-2017-0008
UR  - https://doi.org/10.1108/DAT-03-2017-0008
AU  - Stothard Blaine
PY  - 2017
Y1  - 2017/01/01
TI  - A turning point for UK drug policy: opportunity or stasis
T2  - Drugs and Alcohol Today
PB  - Emerald Publishing Limited
SP  - 135
EP  - 140
Y2  - 2024/04/20
ER  -