Oxford Policing Policy Forum: Policing drugs and alcohol: is harm reduction the way forward?

The eighth Oxford Policing Policy Forum, sponsored by Sungard Public Sector Ltd was held at All Souls College, Oxford on 8th February 2010.

The considerable increase in drug and alcohol-related crime has prompted the UK Drugs Policy Commission (UKDPC) to develop a harm-reduction approach to the enforcement of the law on drug and alcohol misuse. The UKDPC's strategy, which was published in the summer of 2009, focuses on reducing the overall harm that is caused to society from drug and alcohol consumption. The Forum met to discuss the problem of drugs and alcohol, analysing the UKDPC's harm reduction strategy and in particular its implications for policing.

The damage done by drugs and alcohol pervades the whole of society, covering a whole spectrum, from anti-social behaviour to serious violent crime. Debate continues to be necessary to police this complex and politically sensitive area in order to achieve a fair outcome for drug users, victims and the public. 

Click here to read the report