Drug strategy

Local performance framework

The new local performance framework moves ownership of delivery of the new drug strategy towards local areas by rebalancing of the relationship between central government, local government and local communities.

At a national level, there are four drugs-specific indicators in the new set of Public Service Agreements (PSAs) - the mechanism by which the performance of central government departments is assessed. All four indicators are also included in the National Indicator Set (new window) which forms the basis of the Local Area Agreement. From 2009, performance against these indicators will influence the overall assessment of local authorities through the Comprehensive Area Assessment.

Local Area Agreements (LAAs) are the only mechanism through which central government will negotiate targets with local authorities and their partners. 

This will result in more effective local engagement and identification of priorities. Local areas will be able to make the most efficient use of resources to meet local needs and to respond to community concerns. Also, any action taken at the local level to tackle priorities such as crime, anti-social behaviour and social exclusion will have an impact on drug and substance misuse.

The London Drug Policy Forum has published The National Drug Strategy: a guide for local partnerships (new window), which provides practical advice on how local drug interventions can be linked to delivery against other indicators, along with a comprehensive introduction to some of the key structures and processes necessary for the delivery of a local drug strategy.