Misuse of Drugs Act MDA briefing header

The Misuse of Drugs Act 1971 (MDA) underpins all UK drug policy, establishing criminal offences for a range of activities including possession, supply and production of specified ‘controlled drugs’.

This report presents a summary of key available data on which to assess the effectiveness, in terms of costs and impacts, of the UK’s Misuse of Drugs Act 1971, covering: criminalisation and incarceration; enforcement spending; drug-related deaths; prevalence of drug use; and drug availability.

We want all of our publications to be available for free, but they are not free to produce. If you find these resources useful, then please make a donation to support our work.

SIGN UP FOR OUR NEWSLETTER

Sign up for our monthly newsletter for drug policy news, event details, as well as volunteer and job opportunities