UK. DRUG POLICY RESPONSES TO COVID 19: ESSENTIAL FIRST STEPS
UK. DRUG POLICY RESPONSES TO COVID 19: ESSENTIAL FIRST STEPS
The COVID-19 crisis has, very quickly, highlighted a range of critical risks faced by both people who use drugs problematically and the providers of substance use services. Many in the drug policy and harm reduction community have moved swiftly to propose ways to address these issues in both the short and medium term. It has been encouraging to see that the UNODC has also sought to very clearly assert the needs and rights of people who are facing both an acute health risk and the additional effects of stigma and marginalisation.
As part of this effort, Transform and Release submitted a joint response to a call from the Treasury Committee to advise on how dedicated COVID-19 funding might best be spent.
This briefing summarises that response, and sets out some of the interventions we think are needed to help alleviate the risks. It can be read alongside our recent blogs which discuss specific issues and principles in more detail. (Transform / Release, UK, 09.04.2020)
https://transformdrugs.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/04/COVD-19-Briefing-2020.pdf