It's been more than 40 years since the United States declared their war on drugs. Since then, various administrations across the world have copied this superpower and pursued a policy that has taken a tough approach to tackling drugs, but with little evidence that it tackles addiction, or tackles the hold that criminal gangs have on areas in which they operate. The fact that this so-called war is still being waged, with no end in sight, is somewhat telling. The UK, under various Governments over the years, has, predictably, followed the footsteps of its transatlantic ally with predictable results. Drug deaths remain stubbornly high in large parts of the UK. We have to remember that behind each death, there is a human cost that reverberates with friends and family of the deceased for years that follow. As with all statistics, we should never lose sight of the human cost to society and to our communities, nor should we forget about the havoc this policy is having on countries where production of drugs is fought over on a daily basis between rival cartels. Mexico is a prime example of a country that has been destabilised as a result of this drugs policy.

What am I here to do tonight is to advocate for a national conversation that looks to establish a better, more compassionate and experienced-led system of treating addicts. We need to understand the lived experience of all parties concerned, and give due consideration to all possible solutions. Whichever party you represent in the Senedd, or whatever your views are on substance abuse or addiction, I hope we can agree that the status quo is not working. If you remain unconvinced, perhaps ask yourself why the war on drugs did not end generations ago if it was working. 

To return to the statistics, the picture in Wales is not as bad as in parts of England, according to the latest statistics of 2020. According to the Office for National Statistics, Wales recorded its lowest rate of drug misuse deaths since 2014. The rate of 51.1 deaths per million was also lower than England's rate of 52.1 deaths per million. The ONS issued an important caveat on release of these figures, which was that the death registration delays in Wales may have had an impact on this figure. However, it was only a decade ago that Wales had a national rate of drug misuse deaths that was higher than any region in England. So, whilst drug deaths may be down in Wales after a horrific peak, they are still too high. Could a different approach, perhaps, produce better results? Could an alternative approach reduce deaths, reduce drugs consumption and reduce the damaging influence that drug gangs have on our communities in Wales?

One of the most startling international examples of good practice can be found in Portugal. They used to have a very serious drug problem. In the two decades since they decriminalised drugs, they have significantly reduced deaths and the harm associated with drugs. This conscious decision to develop a health-led approach has resulted in those caught possessing drugs for personal use being dealt with administratively, rather than with a jail term. This means it does not result in a criminal record. Drugs are still confiscated, and possession can end up with a fine or community service. How beneficial could such an approach be here in Wales, where we have some of the highest rates of incarceration in western Europe?

And how effective has the policy been in Portugal? As the Transform website pointed out in a recent article in May this year, and I quote,

'In 2001, Portuguese drug death rates were very similar to the EU average. While rates fell in Portugal following reform, they increased across the rest of Europe in the same timeframe. From 2011 onwards both Portugal and the rest of the EU have trended similarly, rising until 2015/6—however, the gap between the two remains considerably wider than it was pre-reform. In real terms, drug death rates in Portugal remain some of the lowest in the EU: 6 deaths per million among people aged 15-64, compared to the EU average of 23.7 per million (2019). They are practically incomparable to the 315 deaths per million aged 15-64 experienced in Scotland, which is over 50 times higher than the Portuguese rates.'

The end of the quote. It is no wonder that other countries and regions across the world are starting to take notice of the lessons that can be learned from Portugal.

I don't want this short debate to just be about illegal drugs, when alcohol causes so much misery in communities and families throughout Wales. It would be remiss of me not to mention alcohol when stats have previously suggested that around 10 people die every week in Wales from alcohol-related causes. It is also estimated that alcohol leads to around 60,000 hospital admissions in Wales, costing the NHS around £159 million annually. With the NHS creaking under the pressure, surely finding ways to deal with the adverse effects of alcohol misuse should be a priority. I want us to get to a position where people who take the brave step of asking for help to overcome addictions, whether that's for drugs or for alcohol, know that help will be forthcoming and comprehensive when they need it.

I don't pretend to have all the answers—I don't think anybody has all the answers—but I would like to start a discussion here today on how we could tackle substance abuse more effectively and ensure addicts get the support they need to get their lives back on track. I want the various agencies charged with assisting substance abusers to come together on a regular basis and speak about their problems and observations with Members of the Senedd. This is why I'm taking steps to start a cross-party group on substance misuse so that we can develop best practice. I have the support already of key agencies like Kaleidoscope, but I hope many other organisations and figures will come on board. I also have the support of more than two Members of the Senedd from different parties to form the cross-party group; I hope many more of you will join.

It is my preference, and that of my party's, that Wales eventually sees devolution of justice powers, and, when we do, that we draw up a system that is compassionate, reduces harm and releases the stranglehold that many criminal gangs have upon the weak and vulnerable in our communities. To that end, I hope we can count on your support, Minister, to engage with this group and develop policy that seeks to achieve these aims and start a wider conversation that leads to a more effective approach to tackling substance abuse, substance misuse and substance addiction. Diolch yn fawr.