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The Centre for Social Justice was setup as a think tank by the government, and they have just released a worrying report claiming that the UK is now the addiction capital of Europe. It is costing the country a staggering £36 billion each year. There is also a noticeable north-south divide when it comes to addiction, with people living in the north of England more likely to become addicted.
Why has the UK Become the Addiction Capital of Europe?
The situation in the UK is complex when it comes to addiction problems. In the past there have been mistakes made in dealing with this issue because the approach was too simplistic. This is why the report by the Centre of Social Justice is called ‘No Quick Fix’ – it is going to take a wide range of strategies if there is going to be any hope of bringing the addiction epidemic under control.
One of the serious concerns highlighted by the No Quick Fix report is the increasing damage caused by legal highs. This refers to those new drugs that can be bought online which have not yet been legally banned. In the past, the people selling these products have been able to stay ahead of the law by slightly changing the ingredients of each item as it becomes illegal. This legal loophole means that it is still easy for anyone to get their hands on these substances. The fact that they have not yet been made illegal often means that people get a false sense of security about using them – they believe that if it isn’t illegal, it must be safe. It is only after those using this ‘legal high’ start dying that others sit up and pay attention. There needs to be a faster process for prohibiting these substances and more done to enforce the law.
Another problem highlighted by the report was the failure to provide adequate treatment for those dealing with drug addiction. Despite the rise in this behaviour, there has been a 55% decrease in the money available for residential treatment since the coalition came to power. This means that even if individuals become willing to get help for their problems, there is nowhere for them to go. There is also the concern that an unacceptable number of people who are supposed to be coming off heroin end up on methadone for longer than four years. The No Quick Fix even mentioned how some have been on methadone for up to two decades.
Tackling the Root Causes of Addiction
It seems that government approach on this matter in the past has been to look as if they are doing something rather than actually doing something effective. In order to stop the UK being the addiction capital of Europe, more needs to be done to tackle the root cause of the problem. It is also crucial that more is done to educate the public that there is no such thing as a drug that provides a ‘safe high’.
It is unacceptable that those ready to end their addiction are not able to get the support they need to break free. How can the government claim to be serious about solving this issue when they are not willing to provide the help to those who want it? More funding needs to be provided to pay for rehab so that those who are ready for this help will be able to get it. This problem is costing the UK billions of pounds every year, so spending money to cut addiction makes economic sense.
It is costing the country a staggering £36 billion each year. There is also a noticeable north-south divide when it comes to addiction, with people living in the north of England more likely to become addicted.
Why has the UK Become the Addiction Capital of Europe?
The situation in the UK is complex when it comes to addiction problems. In the past there have been mistakes made in dealing with this issue because the approach was too simplistic. This is why the report by the Centre of Social Justice is called ‘No Quick Fix’ – it is going to take a wide range of strategies if there is going to be any hope of bringing the addiction epidemic under control.
One of the serious concerns highlighted by the No Quick Fix report is the increasing damage caused by legal highs. This refers to those new drugs that can be bought online which have not yet been legally banned. In the past, the people selling these products have been able to stay ahead of the law by slightly changing the ingredients of each item as it becomes illegal. This legal loophole means that it is still easy for anyone to get their hands on these substances. The fact that they have not yet been made illegal often means that people get a false sense of security about using them – they believe that if it isn’t illegal, it must be safe. It is only after those using this ‘legal high’ start dying that others sit up and pay attention. There needs to be a faster process for prohibiting these substances and more done to enforce the law.
Another problem highlighted by the report was the failure to provide adequate treatment for those dealing with drug addiction. Despite the rise in this behaviour, there has been a 55% decrease in the money available for residential treatment since the coalition came to power. This means that even if individuals become willing to get help for their problems, there is nowhere for them to go. There is also the concern that an unacceptable number of people who are supposed to be coming off heroin end up on methadone for longer than four years. The No Quick Fix even mentioned how some have been on methadone for up to two decades.
Tackling the Root Causes of Addiction
It seems that government approach on this matter in the past has been to look as if they are doing something rather than actually doing something effective. In order to stop the UK being the addiction capital of Europe, more needs to be done to tackle the root cause of the problem. It is also crucial that more is done to educate the public that there is no such thing as a drug that provides a ‘safe high’.
It is unacceptable that those ready to end their addiction are not able to get the support they need to break free. How can the government claim to be serious about solving this issue when they are not willing to provide the help to those who want it? More funding needs to be provided to pay for rehab so that those who are ready for this help will be able to get it. This problem is costing the UK billions of pounds every year, so spending money to cut addiction makes economic sense.
