Addiction

Addiction remains a tragic feature of many people’s lives and it is particularly difficult to escape for those also suffering socio-economic disadvantage. It strains the fabric of our society, and it can divide families, ruin childhoods, affect mental health, and fuel crime.

Today more of us are vulnerable to addiction than ever before, with overprescription practices, drugs culture infiltrating social media, the growth of the dark web, aggressive gambling marketing and conditions like anxiety being exploited by dealers in illicit medication. These emerging trends have seen benzodiazepine use spiraling, a huge increase in steroid abuse, a resurgence in club drugs, a spike in cocaine and even crack use, and increasingly potent and lethal opiates invading the market.

Recovery starts with the individual, but it takes a compassionate and determined community to help to make that a reality. We will continue both to encourage the Government in its new approach and to press for the further changes needed to help our nation’s most vulnerable.