Bristol has become the first official ‘city of harm reduction’, with the declaration confirming that the council’s response to drug usage will prioritise support over punishment.

The motion to declare Bristol a ‘city of harm reduction’ was brought by Green Party councillors and passed following a full council vote in a meeting on Tuesday.

According to the meeting report, the harm reduction approach has been adopted in response to ‘long-standing Government inaction on the shortcomings of the Misuse of Drugs Act 1971’.

Tabled by Cllr Cara Lavan, the motion suggests that the 1971 act has not succeeded in decreasing drug consumption, while arguing that existing drug policy contributes to racial and gender-based inequalities.

A statement from the Green Party on Monday also highlights that deaths from drug poisoning have reached a record high, with the number being nearly double the national rate in Bristol.

The motion calls for support to be favoured over punishment, which involves the delivery of sector-led training on best practice, ensuring night-time workers are well- positioned to handle drug-related emergencies.

Furthermore, it requests that harm reduction services are expanded by the Director of Public Health, as well as proposing that community harms are addressed using ‘compassionate, practical, and evidence-based interventions’.

It also urges that harm and stigma reduction are ‘embedded across all council communications and services relating to substance use’.

With the council having resolved to formally declare Bristol a City of Harm Reduction, it has committed to developing a city-wide harm reduction strategy through cross-sector partnership working and research.

Cllr Cara Lavan said: ‘Passing this motion sends a clear message to the national Government that when it comes to drug policy, Bristol wants a more compassionate, evidence-led approach. 

‘I hope that local authorities across the country will look to Bristol and pass similar motions to become places of harm reduction.’

She added: ‘To organisations and frontline workers responding to drug use in Bristol, we see you and know what you have to confront day to day: doing your best to improve health outcomes, but knowing there is more that could be done, if the Government would permit it.’