Addictions and Substance Misuse

Half of homicides and half of acquisitive crimes are drug related, and a large volume of crime and anti-social behaviour is linked to misuse of alcohol. There is also growing awareness of the links between problem gambling and crime. PCCs have a critical role to play in tackling the substance misuse and addiction that can drive so much crime and anti-social behaviour in our communities, working with their local and national partners.

Think Piece from APCC Joint Addictions & Substance Misuse Leads, Joy Allen and David Sidwick:

"The use of illegal drugs is fueling an epidemic of violence and criminality, destroying people’s lives and wreaking havoc in our communities. Statistics show that around 1 in 11 adults aged 16-59 have taken a drug in the last year and over half of all homicides and acquisitive crimes are believed to be drugs related. The figures are frightening, and the picture is bleak."

News

APCC responds to the announcement that new synthetic opioids have been banned by the government

The Home Office have today announcement that new synthetic opioids are now under the strictest controls, in line with fentanyl.

20/03/2024 - Read full story

APCC PUBLISH DEEP DIVE REVIEW ON DELIVERING THE NATIONAL DRUGS STRATEGY VIA COMBATING DRUGS PARTNERSHIPS

Today the findings of an APCC Deep Dive Review into the experiences of PCCs and other policing partners of their local Combating Drugs Partnerships have been published.

14/02/2024 - Read full story

ONS stats reveal a rise in drug-related deaths

APCC Joint Addictions and Substance Misuse Leads respond to ONS figures reporting a rise in drug-related deaths for 2022.

20/12/2023 - Read full story

APCC response to deaths being linked to street drugs stronger than heroin

“We are deeply saddened by the reported deaths caused by Synthetic Opioids in the UK in the last six months."

15/12/2023 - Read full story

APCC supports national Christmas drink and drug driving campaign

Operation Limit will see all police forces across England and Wales increasing their presence on the nation’s roads and intensifying enforcement activity

01/12/2023 - Read full story

APCC Leads respond to government’s announced ban on twenty dangerous drugs

Following advice from the Advisory Council on the Misuse of Drugs (ACMD), 15 new dangerous synthetic opioids will become Class A drugs under the Misuse of Drugs Act 1971.

29/11/2023 - Read full story