A feasibility study into a drug consumption room (DCR) as a way of reducing drug-related deaths and keeping users off the city’s streets has been recommended in a report by the independent Brighton and Hove Drugs Commission.

The Commission, which was set up in response to calls from Caroline for a new approach to drugs policy and has had input from Brighton & Hove City Council, and Police, Probation and Health representatives, published its proposals after a year-long investigation into how services could be improved to further reduce drug-related harms.

While Brighton & Hove shed its title of ‘Drugs Death Capital of the UK’ earlier this year, drug use in the city remains high, with more than 2,000 problem heroin and cocaine users, according to the Commission.

As well as proposing a study into DCRs, the report recommends more training for people to be able to administer a life-saving overdose antidote; more integrated services for people with dual diagnosis - i.e. both mental health problems and drug addiction; and for a separation between drug services for young people and adults so that younger users don’t have to mix with more established users.

It also calls for the collection of real time data on supply routes and drug taking trends so that education, treatment and enforcement can respond more quickly to the changing drugs landscape.

The Pavilion MP welcomed the report and said that the ‘excellent work’ of the Commission showed what was possible for cities to make progress towards an evidence-based drugs policy in the face of inaction from national government.

Caroline Lucas, MP for Brighton Pavilion and member of Parliament’s all-party group for drugs policy reform, said:

"The starting point on drugs policy should always be how we can best reduce the harms associated with drugs, both for addicts themselves and for the wider community – and that any approach has to be led by evidence about what really works. 

“This excellent report from the Commission shows that Brighton and Hove is really taking the lead on drugs policy where national government is failing to keep up with shifting attitudes.

“On the DCR proposal, evidence from the 90 facilities already operating in 9 countries around the world suggests thatthey help to reduce number of drug-related deaths, because medical supervision is on handand drug nuisance to the wider community, such as needles being found in public parks and stairwells, is reduced.

“They also allow greater access to hard-to-reach addicts who are not currently in any kind of treatment, and over time, to encourage them into treatment services within a recovery-oriented integrated system.

 “We don’t yet know if this is the right thing for Brighton and Hove, but the evidence would suggest that it’s an idea worth investigating further.

“Many people had reservations about needle exchanges when they were first introduced, but these are now accepted, and they’ve helped prevent many thousands of deaths through contaminated needle use and reduced the spread of blood-borne viruses like Hepatitis C and HIV.”

Mike Trace, Vice Chair of the Brighton and Hove Drug Commission said:

“This has been a thorough investigation involving drug users themselves, other people affected by drugs, key agencies and leading experts in Brighton & Hove to try to come up with ideas to minimise the harm that drugs cause the city.

“I am delighted that so many people took part in this commission’s work, particularly young people, and those affected by drug use, as well as treatment and policy experts.

“By bringing key people together in the same room, the Commission has helped open up the discussion to make sure services in the city are working in the best way to reduce the harm caused by drugs.”

The Commission’s report will be considered by Brighton & Hove City Council's new Health and Wellbeing Board in June.