Campaigners say government going backwards by targeting ‘lifestyle’ users of class A drugs with tough criminal sanctions
Middle-class drug users are to be targeted as part of a 10-year strategy to be announced by Boris Johnson’s government with a heavy focus on war-on-drugs-era punishment.
So-called “lifestyle” users of class A drugs face losing their passports or driving licences under proposals designed to target wealthy professionals who the government will argue are driving exploitative practices with their demand.
Contacting clients based on drug dealers’ seized phones with a range of messages to discourage their drug use and direct them to getting support.
A commitment to dismantling more than 2,000 county lines and making thousands more arrests.
Investing up to £145m in the county lines programme, targeting the road and rail networks and protecting those exploited and supporting them to rebuild their lives.
Expanding drug testing on arrest – supporting police forces to test more individuals.
Developing out-of-court disposal projects to ensure those who misuse drugs face tougher consequences.
The largest ever single increase in investment in treatment and recovery, which is understood to be made available to 50 local authorities.