RCP voices its support for RSPH’s approach to illicit drug use.

The Royal College of Physicians (RCP) says it strongly supports the Royal Society of Public Health’s (RSPH) report that ‘drug addiction must be considered a health issue’ given the statistical evidence of the problem. There were 2,479 drug related deaths registered in 2015 in England and Wales, an increase of 10% from 2014, and an increase of 48% from 2005.
2015-2016 data shows 81,904 drug-related hospital admissions, a 9% increase on the previous year, and 15,074 admissions for illicit drug poisoning, a 51% increase on 10 years ago.
The RCP believes these figures ‘demonstrate a clear need for physical, psychological and social support for people with drug addictions.’
The RSPH emphasise that whilst personal drug use should be decriminalised, the dealers, importers and suppliers of illegal substance would still be actively pursued and prosecuted.