The Mayor has been urged to fund two drug testing centres in London to help keep Londoners safe.
London's drug poisoning death rate is at its highest in more than 20 years, with 56.6 deaths recorded per million people in the capital last year.
Drug test centres are currently operating in Bristol, providing free, confidential and professional drug checking, as well as other healthcare intervention, training and workshops, with the aim of reducing drug-related harm.
The London Assembly has today passed a motion urging the Mayor to commit £150,000 in his 2024-25 Final Draft Consolidated Budget to fund two drug test centres, and to examine the impact they have on drug-related harm.
Emma Best AM, who proposed the motion, said:
"I’m delighted my colleagues on the Assembly supported our motion calling on the Mayor to fund two drug checking services in the capital.
“London's drug poisoning death rate is at its highest in more than 20 years, with 56.6 deaths recorded per million people in the capital last year.
“This is the highest drug death rate since 2000, when 58.4 deaths were recorded per million people in London.
“Our motion calls on the Mayor to commit £150,000 this year to fund two drug testing centres, based on a pilot model used in Bristol, to provide free, confidential and professional drug checking, as well as other healthcare intervention, training and workshops, with the aim of reducing drug-related harm.”
The full text of the motion is:
This Assembly notes that London's drug poisoning death rate is at its highest in more than 20 years, with 56.6 deaths recorded per million people in the capital last year. This is the highest drug death rate since 2000, when 58.4 deaths were recorded per million people in London (ONS, 2022).
This Assembly, therefore, calls on the Mayor, in his Final Draft Consolidated Budget for 2024-25, to:
- Commit £150,000 to fund two drug testing centres, based on a pilot model used in Bristol, to provide free, confidential and professional drug checking, as well as other healthcare intervention, training and workshops, with the aim of reducing drug-related harm, and;
- Examine the impact of the two drug testing centres on drug-related harm and consider funding additional drug testing centres.
£150,000 would allow two testing centres to operate North and South of the river, initially for 12 sessions (one day each month) in partnership with an existing venue providing support for drugs harms. This figure is based on costings from a successful pilot project in Bristol, which launched this month.
Notes to editors
- The motion was agreed unanimously.
- Watch the webcast.
- Emma Best AM, who proposed the budget-related motion, is available for interview.
- As well as investigating issues that matter to Londoners, the London Assembly acts as a check and a balance on the Mayor.
For media enquiries, please contact Anthony Smyth on 07763 251727. For out of hours media enquiries, call 020 7983 4000 and ask for the London Assembly duty press officer.