Around 1,600 drug-related deaths could be prevented in the North and Scotland if the Government ensures drugs policy reform is included in levelling up plans, a think tank has argued today.
Analysis by the Social Market Foundation (SMF) has shown a clear link between deprivation and drug misuse.
It found regions in need of levelling up - such as the North East, the North West, and Yorkshire - have higher overdose death rates than more affluent regions.
The SMF has estimated how many lives could be saved if the Government copied drug policy reform implemented in Portugal focusing on decriminalisation, prevention, and treatment programmes.
It found an 80% decline in deaths in the North East would save 600 lives a year, while 1,000 lives could be saved in Scotland.
’The relationship between drugs misuse and deprivation is complex, a vicious cycle harms many more lives in the poorest regions of the nation, said Jake Shepherd, senior researcher at the Social Market Foundation. ‘If ministers really want to level up the country, they should be working to break the link between drugs and deprivation.
’The current policy stance on drugs needs to shift, towards one that prioritises support, treatment, and education – so that we can reduce health and economic inequalities between the north and south, and between poor and rich.’
The SMF warned the Government does not have a plan in place to break the drugs-deprivation link and the Levelling Up White Paper does not mention drugs.
