ACMD appoints 10 leading experts

Ten leading experts have joined the Advisory Council on the Misuse of Drugs (ACMD) to strengthen its vital work advising the government on drug harms.

The 10 new members' expertise spans crucial areas, including public health, law enforcement and scientific research.

The ACMD assess substances that are being misused or could potentially cause significant health and social harms, as well as conducting in-depth inquiries into aspects of drug use that are causing particular concern in the UK.

The new ACMD appointees are:

• Mrs Sapna Lewis

• Mr Jason Harwin

• Prof Harry Sumnall

• Prof Katy Holloway

• Prof Amira Guirguis

• Prof Colin Davidson

• Mrs Fiona Spargo-Mabbs

• Prof Stephen Husbands

• Dr Caroline Copeland

• Miss Bethan Gibbs

Eleven reappointments have also been made to the ACMD with 6 members reappointed for a third term of 3 years and 5 members reappointed for a third term of 1 year.

The 6 members reappointed for a third term of 3 years are:

• Prof Anne Campbell

• Dr Hilary Hamnett

• Prof Simon Thomas

• Prof Graeme Henderson

• Prof Roger Knaggs

• Mohammed Fessal

The 5 members reappointed for a third term of 1 year are:

• Prof Derek Tracy

• Rosalie Weetman

• Dr Carole Hunter

• Prof Paul Stokes

• Dr Richard Stevenson

The appointments, which commenced on 1 January 2025, have been made in accordance with the Governance Code on Public Appointments.