Hammersmith and Fulham Council is set to implement a new drug strategy aimed at tackling both the supply and demand of illicit substances within the borough, with plans for implementation in the 2026/27 financial year. The strategy, presented to the Health and Adult Social Care Policy and Accountability Committee, focuses on three key pillars: disrupting drug supply chains, providing high-quality treatment services, and fostering a generational shift in drug demand.
Elizabeth Eagle, the council's Substance Misuse Lead, and Dr. Mayada Abu Affan, Director of Public Health, outlined the strategy's approach to combating organised crime, treating addiction as a health issue, and addressing underlying societal problems such as trauma and poverty. The plan also aims to reduce the stigma associated with drug use.
Tackling Demand and Promoting Well-being
The strategy aims to achieve a generational shift in drug demand by reducing overall demand, giving residents the best possible start in life, and working with young people in the borough to change attitudes towards drug-taking. Success in this area, and across the strategy as a whole, will be assessed through measurable statistics, including an increase in the number of people accessing treatment and improved access to detox and rehabilitation services.
Discussions during the meeting highlighted potential avenues for introducing the strategy into schools and colleges. Engagement has already taken place with the Youth Council, and the Young People's Drug Service, Resilience, provides support to schools with workers trained to assist young people experiencing substance misuse issues.
Addressing Exploitation and Complex Needs
Efforts to combat 'cuckooing' – a form of exploitation where drug dealers take over a vulnerable person's home – will be enhanced through a dedicated risk panel and the inclusion of a substance misuse worker within the relevant team. This enhancement builds on a trial that successfully integrated a substance misuse worker into the cuckooing team.
The committee stressed the importance of considering the specific needs of residents with complex conditions, including those who use wheelchairs or have mental health conditions, ensuring the strategy is inclusive and addresses diverse needs. Councillor Alex Sanderson agreed with this feedback, stating that the strategy needs to be explicit in recognising that disabled people face unique risks and have diverse needs, and this will be taken on board.
Measuring Success and Future Outlook
The success of the strategy will be measured through statistics on treatment uptake and access to rehabilitation services. Councillor Alex Sanderson summarised that while the current rate of drug-related offences remains too high, this represents the best drug strategy developed to date. The strategy's inclusion in the 2026/27 revenue budget and MTFS suggests that implementation is planned for the upcoming financial year.
Further details on the strategy can be found in the Public reports pack and the Draft Equalities Impact Assessment.
