A Conservative majority Government will launch a new initiative
to drive down drug related deaths and tackle addiction head on,
Health Secretary has announced today.
Under the plans:
- A new UK-wide cross-government addiction strategy will be
published in 2020, establishing clear ambitions for reducing drug
deaths and including problem gambling for the first time
- Problem gambling, drink and drugs addiction will be brought
under the remit of a new, dedicated monitoring unit at the heart
of Government
- New measures will be taken to tackle over-prescribing of
opioids, including considering measures from the Public Health
England (PHE) review such as a new 24/7 support line for
addiction advice on prescription medicines
- An independent review will be commissioned into the 2005
Gambling Act to update it for the modern, digital age – making
recommendations on:
- prize and stake limits;
- the misuse of credit card payments;
- putting the voluntary levy on a statutory footing and;
- new ways of raising revenue for problem gambling support
- The number of NHS gambling clinics will be increased from 2
to 14 in order to provide support for problem gamblers and ensure
they get the help they need.
- The progress made by local community-based treatment services
and how they are funded and commissioned will be reviewed
Substance misuse and addiction is a key driver of crime, can fuel
mental health crises, prompt homelessness, and lead to an early
death. In particular the recent rise in drug-related deaths must
be challenged head on with a preventative approach to stop the
problems of addiction taking hold and ruining lives.
Health Secretary, said:
“Addiction is a destructive and tragic affliction that can cause
physical and emotional harm and cost lives. I've seen for myself
just how devastating it can be, and there are new challenges we
face every day.
“Drug-related deaths have risen and new harmful substances are
fuelling mental health crises - and in the digital age the
prevalence of online gambling risks more people experiencing
gambling-related harm.
“We have the best health service in the world and we now need to
marshal its resources to protect those affected by addiction and
ensure that they receive the treatment and support they need.”
