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.
 

Content

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.