Ellie Ames 18 December 2023

Call for greater drug use surveillance

Call for greater drug use surveillance image
Image: local.gov.uk

Council chiefs have called for greater regulation and surveillance of the use of illegal drugs in response to what they have called ‘worrying new trends’.

Data from the Office for National Statistics shows that for most individual drug types, there was no significant change in use in 2023 compared to in 2020, except changes in the use of hallucinogens, ecstasy and nitrous oxide.

Reported hallucinogen use increased from 0.7% to 1% of people aged 16-59 from 2020-23, while reported use of ecstasy and nitrous oxide fell.

The chair of the Local Government Association’s community wellbeing board, David Fothergill, said: ‘Although it is encouraging that rates of drug misuse have remained stable, this is masking worrying new trends in drug use.

‘We are particularly concerned to see a rise in the use of new synthetic opioids and benzodiazepines which substantially raise the risk of incredibly serious harm to the user and are believed to be linked to a number of drug related deaths.

‘Councils want to see greater regulation of the sale of substances online that often enter the UK in the post and increased surveillance to alert authorities to the types of drugs people are taking.’

SIGN UP
For your free daily news bulletin
Highways jobs

Casual Early Years Practitioner

North East Lincolnshire Council
£24,796 FTE
Do you have a passion for delivering high quality care and guidance? North East Lincolnshire
Recuriter: North East Lincolnshire Council

Trainee Trading Standards Officer

North East Lincolnshire Council
NJC11 - £28,142
If you’re someone who’s curious, community-minded and keen to make a real difference, this could be the perfect opportunity for you. North East Lincolnshire
Recuriter: North East Lincolnshire Council

Communications Support Officer - Children's Fostering Team

North East Lincolnshire Council
£25,583
Create content with heart and soul to make a real, lasting difference North East Lincolnshire
Recuriter: North East Lincolnshire Council

Oracle Systems Administrator

The Royal Borough of Kensington & Chelsea Council
£51429 - £58140 per annum
Help shape the backbone of our services - and build smarter systems for a stronger borough.Help shape the backbone of our services - and build smarter England, London
Recuriter: The Royal Borough of Kensington & Chelsea Council

Health & Safety Advisor

Wakefield Council
£39,152.00 - £41,771.00, Grade 9, 37 hours, Permanent
Wakefield Council’s Health & Safety team now have an exciting opportunity for a Health & Safety Adviser. Wakefield, West Yorkshire
Recuriter: Wakefield Council
Linkedin Banner