Foster, John ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-6218-7593 and Thom, Betsy (2025) Chapter 10. Substance use and policy across the OECD. In: Morgan, Julia ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-6218-7593 and La Placa, Vincent, (eds.) Contemporary Issues in Health and Social Care Policy and Practice: A Comparative Introduction. Routledge - Taylor and Francis Group, London. ISBN 978-1003343608 (doi:10.4324/9781003343608-12)

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Abstract

UK substance use policy is often dependent upon what is politically acceptable and expedient. Arguably, this is encapsulated in the attitudes of wider society to drugs and drug users. The first section of the chapter will contrast recent English and Scottish alcohol policy focusing upon Minimum Unit Pricing. The second section will focus upon differences between the UK and Portuguese illicit drug policy. The latter is far more permissive. The chapter focuses on the recent UK decision to criminalise Nitrous Oxide use and introduce some contemporary UK data concerning drug-related mortality trends. It will conclude by drawing lessons for UK substance use policy and provide some further reading suggestions and areas to be developed for a more nuanced understanding of minimum unit pricing and the impact of criminalising different types of drugs and drug users.

Item Type:	Book Section
Uncontrolled Keywords:	substance use, policy, harm minimisation, minimum unit pricing
Subjects:	H Social Sciences > H Social Sciences (General) H Social Sciences > HV Social pathology. Social and public welfare R Medicine > RA Public aspects of medicine > RA0421 Public health. Hygiene. Preventive Medicine
Faculty / School / Research Centre / Research Group:	Faculty of Education, Health & Human Sciences Faculty of Education, Health & Human Sciences > Institute for Lifecourse Development Faculty of Education, Health & Human Sciences > Institute for Lifecourse Development > Centre for Mental Health Faculty of Education, Health & Human Sciences > School of Health Sciences (HEA)
Last Modified:	24 Nov 2025 15:00
URI:	https://gala.gre.ac.uk/id/eprint/51733

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