David Wood to chair Advisory Council on the Misuse of Drugs

Crime and Policing Minister Sarah Jones has announced Professor David Wood as the new chair of the Advisory Council on the Misuse of Drugs (ACMD).

Professor David Wood is a professor of clinical toxicology and consultant physician, specialising in the care of individuals admitted to hospital due to drug and medication overdoses.

He has been a member of the ACMD since August 2020. His influence extends internationally as an expert advisor to the European Union Drugs Agency, World Health Organisation, and United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime, and he also has a distinguished research and academic history.

Professor David Wood said:

I am delighted to have been appointed as the new chair of the Advisory Council on the Misuse of Drugs.

As chair, it is essential that I ensure that the ACMD continues to provide the government with high-quality, evidence-based reviews to enable them to take the appropriate decisions in tackling the significant problems associated with the use of drugs and the ongoing challenges posed by psychoactive substances.

Crime and Policing Minister Sarah Jones said:

I am delighted to welcome Professor David Wood as the next chair of the ACMD. He brings a wealth of experience and knowledge that will be invaluable in the council's vital work providing evidence-based advice to tackle and prevent harms caused by the misuse of drugs.

I also thank Professor Owen Bowden-Jones for his dedication over the last 9 years leading the council.

Professor David Wood takes up his role on 1 January 2026, succeeding Professor Owen Bowden-Jones, who has served as the ACMD's chair for the last 9 years.

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.