Question to the Home Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what comparative assessment she has made of the drug-induced mortality rate in (a) Sweden, (b) Portugal and (c) the UK.

The Home Office has not directly compared the drug-induced mortality rates in Portugal, Sweden and the UK. Such a direct comparison would be problematic, as data collection methods and definitions of a drug-related death vary
markedly between countries.

However, a wide range of data, including health outcomes such as drug-related deaths, was reviewed as part of the drugs International Comparators Study. The report demonstrated that health outcomes are affected by a range of complex
cultural, social and political factors as well as legislation, policing and health care policies. The report did not make recommendations for UK policy.