Government accused of 'squandering' £1.6bn a year on anti-drug policy

According to the official audit, a lack of robust evidence is also available to assess whether capture and punishment serves as a deterrent for drug use
The Independent (UK)
Monday, August 7, 2017

uk police time wastedMinisters have been accused of "squandering" £1.6bn a year after an official analysis of the Government’s drug strategy concluded that illegal drugs remain widely available on the streets of Britain, with little impact made since 2010. The audit adds - due to a lack of robust evidence available - that officials are unable to assess whether capture and punishment serves as a deterrent for drug use in the UK. The report, published last month, claims that despite extensive resources being used to tackle drug use, consumption has remained stable since Theresa May introduced the Government’s strategy in 2010 while Home Secretary.