Chair of the Advisory Council on the Misuse of Drugs

Wednesday 14th December 2016 Written Statements

[The Secretary of State for the Home Department (Amber Rudd)]

I am pleased to announce that Dr Owen Bowden-Jones has been appointed to the ACMD both as a member and as its new chair. This appointment is for a three year term, beginning on 1 January 2017. Dr Bowden-Jones is an experienced clinician who provides assessment and treatment for people experiencing harms from emerging problem drugs.

The ACMD was established under the Misuse of Drugs Act 1971 and provides advice to Government on issues related to the harms of drugs. It also has a statutory role under the Psychoactive Substances Act 2016. Dr Bowden-Jones will replace Professor Les Iversen, whose term ends at the end of this year.

I would like to take this opportunity to thank Professor Iversen for his dedication to chairing the ACMD over the past seven years.

[HCWS352]