Spotlight on Substance Misuse
This spotlight looks at substance misuse and shares emerging good practice across the UK. Strong evidence links deprivation, social inequalities and substance misuse-related harms. Police and Crime Commissioners (PCCs) have a vital role to play in improving life chances and reducing crime.
Through the Second Generation Project, we are working with PCCs to help them develop better service responses for people in the ‘revolving door’ of crisis and crime. Addressing health and social care needs can reduce criminal behaviours and improve community safety.
Substance use among people sentenced to prison is substantially higher than among the wider population. A high proportion of new entrants to community substance misuse treatment arrive via a criminal justice system route.
The complexity of substance misuse and its harms require effective local partnerships to improve life chances and reduce crime. PCCs can offer the vital strategic leadership to address substance misuse needs and reduce health inequalities in their area. They can use their convening powers to bring health agencies together to reduce reoffending by addressing health-related drivers of crime.
Our recent review of PCC police and crime plans showed that 9 out of 10 PCCs identify substance misuse as a problem in their area. However, only 3 out of 10 have set it as a priority. This spotlight on substance misuse demonstrates what is possible.
We bring together examples of good practice with a view to raising awareness about the link between substance misuse, associated health inequalities and crime. And we encourage PCCs to develop programmes that take a public health approach to tackling the root causes of crime.
We identify a number of key themes that emerge as being essential for good practice:
- Taking a public health approach to substance misuse
- Involving people with lived experience
- Adopting a whole-systems approach
- Offering women only provision
- Supporting families affected by substance misuse.
