Purpose

This report seeks approval to award The Loop (a registered charity organisation who provide a number of harm reduction interventions) to pilot a 12-month drug checking service in Camden.

Nationally, drug related deaths are at an all-time high, and associated harms have, and continue, to increase in the UK since 2012, with mis-sold drugs, as well as high and variable strength substances, as key contributing factors. In December 2021, the UK government published its 10-year Drug Strategy calling for 'innovation' to help reduce increasing drug harms.

Camden has experienced a recent cluster of non-fatal overdoses and intelligence is received on a regular basis regarding adulterated (or super strength) drug supply including opiates, MDMA (ecstasy,) Ketamine and Benzodiazepines across the region and nationally.  Whilst the provision of naloxone can help mitigate against opiate related drug related deaths and harm, other methods need to be considered to minimise the harm of illicit drug use and drug checking facilities is one method that can help residents make informed decisions about their drug use.

Commissioners have been working with The Loop to develop a proposal for the delivery of drug checking facilities in Camden.  The Loop are already providing drug checking services in Bristol Drug Project (BDP) and are also in the process of setting up similar services in Hackney, Birmingham and Liverpool.  The proposed grant value is £99,000.  This will fund:

•         12 x monthly drug checking sessions

•         2 x emergency drug checking sessions (could be utilised in the event of overdose incidents etc)

•         Home Office Licence application for testing

•         Labatory costs

•         Comprehensive training programme for Night Time Economy (NTE) venues (to support members of the NTE workforce to understand basic drug effects, risk and harm reduction, and escalation processes for seeking medical support).

It is likely that delivery of the drug checking sessions will extend into 2026-27 as it will take some time to obtain the Home Office licence required to offer drug checking facilities.

Decision

THAT the Director of Health and Wellbeing approves the awarding of a grant agreement to The Loop, for £99,000 to provide a drug checking service as a pilot for 12 months and deliver a comprehensive training programme for Night Time Economy workforce; following consultation with the Cabinet Member for Health, Wellbeing and Adult Social Care.