Home Affairs Select committee transcript: Drugs - Feb 22

Inquiry

The focus of the inquiry will be on illegal drug use and its effects on society and the economy.

The inquiry will consider the UK’s legislative framework on drugs and UK drug policy. The framework refers to, for example: the Misuse of Drugs Act 1971; the Psychoactive Substances Act 2016; and, where relevant, any subordinate legislation made under these Acts.

In particular, the inquiry will consider the Misuse of Drugs Act 1971 and its efficacy today. It will assess what impact the Psychoactive Substances Act 2016 has had since it came into force. The inquiry will also look at the impact of drug use in the UK, and at approaches to drugs adopted elsewhere.

You can read the call for evidence here.

Witnesses: Angela Constance (MSP and Minister for Drugs Policy at Scottish Government), Chris Philp (Combatting Drugs Minister and Minister for Crime, Policing and Fire at Home Office), Marcus Starling (Deputy Director of the Drug Misuse Unit, Crime Reduction Directorate at Home Office), and Caroline Hart (Deputy Director for Drugs Supply and County Lines at Home Office)