LJMU drugs expert on UK Advisory Council

Drugs harm researcher Professor Harry Sumnall has vowed to champion drugs prevention and activities to support those most at risk of harm.

Sumnall, a professor of substance abuse in the Public Health Institute, was speaking after being reappointed to the UK’s Advisory Council on the Misuse of Drugs (ACMD).

He along with nine other experts will strengthen the national work to advising the government on drug harms.

Professor Sumnall is one of the best-known academics in his field and has contributed an impressive 33 articles to The Conversation on drug deaths, drug harms, behaviours and policy solutions, most recently a critique on the UK’s first drug consumption facility, which opened in Glasgow earlier this month.

Sumnall previously sat on the Council between 2011 and 2019 and continued as a co-opted member on some working groups.

The ACMD is a statutory advisory body which makes recommendations to government on the control of drugs, including classification. The Government is required to request the advice of the ACMD before making changes to drug laws. The group also publishes reports, recent examples being, the prevention of drug related deaths, novel synthetic opioids; consumer cannabidiol (CBD) products; and on reducing barriers to research on controlled drugs, such as psychedelics and MDMA.

Harry said: “I will be participating in all Council activities but anticipate contributing work to champion drug prevention, and those activities to support the most vulnerable and socially excluded groups in society."

Minister for Crime and Policing, Dame Diana Johnson, said: “I am delighted to welcome the new members and reappoint those that have done such vital work to the Advisory Council on the Misuse of Drugs.

“This wealth of experience will be invaluable in the council’s ability to provide evidence-based advice that helps protect our communities.”