Substance Use Strategy.
How can we improve oversight of substance use?
Substance use is a health concern.
While the Health Minister is responsible for the Misuse of Drugs Law in Jersey, the substance use strategy is currently the responsibility of the Home Affairs Department.
Substance use should primarily be considered a public health issue rather than as a matter of community safety.
Prior to the development of Guernsey's Combined Substance Use Strategy, responsibility for substance use was transferred from Home Affairs to Health in 2017 in recognition that a more unified approach was required.
Recommendation:
- The wider issue of substance use should be transferred from the responsibility of Home Affairs to the remit of the Health Department in order to facilitate the coordinated delivery and implementation of the new strategy.
Recommendation:
- Following the transfer of the remit for substance use to the Health Department, specific responsibility for the issue should be delegated to the Assistant Minister for Mental Health.
Are additional advisors required?
The former Director of the Alcohol and Drug Service left the role at the end of 2016, warning that "if he is not replaced there will be a gap in providing expert advice to the States on drug strategy and policy"
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The role has been left vacant since his departure.
Recommendation:
- Consideration should be given to the recruitment of a new Director for the Alcohol and Drug Service to advise Government and ensure proper oversight of substance use.
The membership of the Misuse of Drugs Advisory Council does not currently include anyone with lived experience of substance use.
Recommendation:
- Either the Bailiff should consider appointing someone with experience of substance use to the Misuse of Drugs Advisory Council, or the Council should consider the creation of a sub-committee that includes representation from people with lived experience to contribute to deliberations on issues relating to substance use.