Drug-related Deaths in England and Wales

Debate between Lord Mendoza and Baroness Merron

Tuesday 26th November 2024 Lords Chamber

[Baroness Merron (Lab)]

I understand the point that the noble Lord is making. We are funding the rough sleeping drug and alcohol treatment grant, which gives targeted treatment and wraparound support services to those who sleep rough, or who are at risk of doing so, in 83 local authorities. That includes a whole range of things. In addition, we are funding the housing support grant and working across government, including with the Deputy Prime Minister, who has brought together a dedicated interministerial group to tackle the very real problem that the noble Lord describes.

[Lord Mendoza (Con)]

My Lords, the Minister mentioned synthetic opioids. We all know the terrible scourge that they have wrought in America, with something like 75,000 deaths a year from synthetic drugs such as fentanyl and nitazenes. Can the Minister assure us that we are monitoring the supply of these drugs into this country so that we are spared the terrible scourge and loss of life among young people that has been experienced in America?

[Baroness Merron (Lab)]

I understand what the noble Lord is saying. Synthetic opioids, as he will know, are certainly more potent, and indeed can be more deadly, than other forms of drugs. We are working with other government departments to enhance the surveillance to which he refers and to improve early warning in response to the threat of synthetic opioids, and we will continue that work.