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We take a human-centred perspective that acknowledges the reality of crime and its impact on victims, primarily within marginalised and disadvantaged communities. We emphasise the need to understand the root causes of crime, including social and economic inequalities, rather than solely focusing on punishment. In the context of drug-related deaths, we call for a trauma informed public health approach that addresses the complex interplay of factors contributing to drug misuse and related fatalities.

Early identification and assessment of at-risk individuals:

This involves identifying individuals who may be at risk or vulnerable due to various factors such as family history, exposure to trauma, or social and economic deprivation. Early identification allows for timely intervention and support, potentially preventing the progression to addiction or harmful drug use.

Provision of evidence-based prevention programs in schools and community settings:

Evidence-based prevention programs delivered in schools and community settings can help raise awareness about the risks of drug misuse and promote healthy lifestyle choices. These programs can also equip individuals with the skills and knowledge necessary to make informed decisions and resist peer pressure. School or university based drug diversion schemes, preclude the need to exclude children or young adults from their educational setting. Instead, prevention and awareness providing the individual and school with a meaningful outcome.

Access to harm reduction services, such as needle exchange programs and drug consumption rooms:

Harm reduction services aim to minimise the negative consequences associated with drug use, such as the spread of infectious diseases and overdose. Needle exchange programs provide new needles / syringes and safer inhalation pipes to people who inject or smoke drugs, reducing the risk of HIV and hepatitis C transmission. Drug consumption rooms offer a safe and supervised environment for people to use drugs, reducing the risk of overdose and other harms. These facilities offer a safe space, a golden opportunity for recovery and treatment when an individual is ready.

Effective treatment and recovery support services:

Access to effective treatment and recovery support services is vital for individuals struggling with drug addiction. This includes a range of services such as detoxification, counselling, medication-assisted treatment, and peer support groups. Effective treatment and recovery support can help individuals overcome addiction, rebuild their lives, and reduce the risk of relapse. Addiction is complex, often masking trauma and other health issues. Recovery for women is significantly more difficult than for men, due to barriers that prevent access to treatment. Women carry more child caring responsibilities and are vulnerable in male-dominated settings. Services need to consider these factors in their service delivery design.

Addressing social and economic factors contributing to drug misuse, such as poverty, unemployment, and lack of educational opportunities:

Social and economic factors play a significant role in drug use. Poverty, unemployment, and lack of educational opportunities can create a sense of hopelessness and despair, leading some individuals to turn to drugs as a coping mechanism or self-medication aid. Addressing these underlying factors through social and economic policies that promote equality and opportunity is crucial for preventing drug misuse and related harms.

Late intervention and criminalisation approaches, which focus on punishment and enforcement rather than prevention and support, have proven to be largely ineffective in addressing drug-related deaths. These approaches often result in:

Increased risk of overdose and other drug-related harms:

Criminalisation and punitive approaches can drive people who use drugs underground, making it more difficult for them to access harm reduction and treatment services. This can increase their risk of overdose and other drug-related harms, such as infections and blood-borne diseases. 

Stigmatisation and discrimination against people who use drugs:

Criminalisation and stigmatisation of drug use can create barriers to seeking help and accessing support services. People who use drugs may fear judgment and discrimination, leading them to avoid healthcare and social services altogether. This can further exacerbate their health and social problems.

Incarceration, which disrupts individuals' lives and further marginalises them from society:

Incarceration for drug-related offenses can have devastating consequences for individuals and their families. It can disrupt their education, employment, and social connections, making it difficult to reintegrate into society upon release. Incarceration can also perpetuate a cycle of poverty and marginalisation, increasing the likelihood of future drug use and criminal involvement.

High economic costs associated with law enforcement, courts, and imprisonment:

The criminal justice system's response to drug use is costly. Law enforcement, courts, and imprisonment consume significant public resources that could be better invested in prevention, treatment, and harm reduction programs. These programs have been shown to be more effective in reducing drug-related deaths and other harms.

Missed opportunities for early intervention and prevention that could have potentially saved lives:

Late intervention and criminalisation often miss opportunities for early intervention and prevention that could have potentially saved lives. By the time individuals come into contact with the criminal justice system, their drug use may have already escalated, and their health and social problems may be more entrenched. Early intervention and prevention programs can help address these issues before they become more severe and costly to manage. Police are the largest harm reduction network in the world. Many Police services are now equipped with Naloxone and are often the first on the scene of an overdose. With the proliferation of potent synthetic opioids within the worldwide drug supply, a new policing approach to drug possession has never been more urgent.

The rising number of drug-related deaths in England and Wales is a stark reminder of the urgent need for effective strategies to address this public health crisis. Multiagency early intervention and prevention, grounded in a human-centred perspective, offers a promising approach to tackling the complex interplay of factors contributing to drug misuse and related fatalities. 

By investing in prevention and support, we can reduce the human and economic costs of late intervention and criminalisation, ultimately saving lives, saving scarce resources, and creating healthier communities for us all to enjoy. Together, academia, communities, Police and health can challenge ideology and deliver a safer drug policy. After all, there is nothing soft about preventing death.

To learn more about Jason and our other OXA Associates, visit our Associates page here