Hackney is intensifying its efforts to improve access to substance use support, according to a recent report presented to the Health in Hackney Scrutiny Commission.
Since 2021, Hackney has increased investment in responses to harmful drug and alcohol use. The Combatting Drugs Partnership (CDP) has been providing strategic and operational direction across substance use workstreams since 2022. The report to the commission provided an overview of the current system, including the Hackney Recovery service and additional delivery partners such as Support When It Matters (SWIM) and The People's Recovery Project.
While most key indicators for access to treatment have improved, the report also highlighted areas needing attention, including:
- Increasing treatment access, as national estimates suggest that a significant proportion of individuals using opiates and crack cocaine are not currently accessing support in Hackney.
- Addressing disparities in treatment access for individuals who identify as a sexuality other than heterosexual.
- Improving treatment outcomes, as a significant proportion of individuals accessing substance use support are defined as 'not showing substantial progress'.
- Addressing unmet mental health needs, as a significant proportion of individuals accessing substance use support with a co-presenting mental health need are not receiving appropriate support.
- Undertaking further work focusing on primary prevention of drug use across the authority area.
The Health in Hackney Scrutiny Commission considered the report at their meeting on 24 June 2025, as part of a broader agenda that included discussion of adult social care, quality accounts from Homerton Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust and St Joseph's Hospice, and appointments to the Inner North East London Joint Health Overview and Scrutiny Committee (INEL JHOSC). The agenda and reports pack for the meeting are available online.