Transcript The new politics of drug policy

The new politics of drug policy
Where next?
Marcus Roberts
Director of Policy and Membership
DrugScope
New times ….?
‘All that is solid melts to air, all that is
holy is profaned’
Marx and Engels, Communist Manifesto
Revolution in the air?
(Eg CJS Green Paper)
‘fundamentally flawed’
‘a fatalistic philosophy of targets, process and
maintenance’
‘poor prevention and education programmes’
‘return power to local communities’
‘purposeful and focused systems with
rehabilitation and full recovery at their heart’
A balanced system
Drug Strategy Consultation 2010
Over 210,000 people in treatment and ‘we
want to build on this’
‘We recognise that drug addiction is a
complex disorder … whilst reducing harm is
an important component of treatment,
promoting and supporting recovery and a
drug-free lifestyle is the ultimate aim.’
‘The one thing that does not change is
that at any and every time it appears
that there have been “great changes”’
Marcel Proust, Remembrance of Things Past
‘The goal of all treatment is for users to
achieve abstinence’
‘Too many drug users … stay in
treatment far too long before
reestablishing their lives’
‘a radical new focus on services to help
drug users to re-establish their lives’
Drugs: Protecting Families and Communities (2008)
‘Rehabilitation Revolution’
‘pay independent providers to reduce
reoffending’
Ministry of Justice/Social Finance Ltd
SOCIAL INVESTMENT BONDS – pay a
return to investors if their investment yields
reduced offending
Announced by … Jack Straw … signed off by …
Labour
The new politics ….?
Ch-ch-ch-ch-Changes
(Turn and face the strain)
Ch-ch-Changes
Where's your shame
You've left us up to our necks in it
… Oh, look out you rock 'n rollers
David Bowie - Changes
Wind of change

Spending Review

Public health service

Localism

Payment by results

Big Society
Making an impact
Recovery, re-integration, cooperation
 Cost-benefit. Focus on the worst off.
More for less?
 Balance and the evidence base
 Thinking local, Big Society, VCS and
voice
 Workforce development

‘don't speak too soon
For the wheel's still in spin’
Bob Dylan, Times they are a-changin
Marcus Roberts
Director of Policy and Membership
DrugScope
Tel: 020 7529 7556
E-mail: [email protected]
DrugScope website: www.drugscope.org.uk