This report sheds light on the scale of the illegal drug addiction crisis we face today, not only in terms of the lives lost to overdoses and drug poisonings, but also the lives blighted by stigma and a lack of support. It echoes the findings of Dame Carol Black’s independent review of drugs, which so starkly warned that the Government must invest in tackling the problem or keep paying for the consequences.

The evidence presented here makes it clear: we need action, and we need it now. We need properly funded addiction recovery services, better mental health support, and a stronger focus on prevention. These aren’t just policy recommendations; they are lifelines for people at their most vulnerable.