Women are overlooked in the government’s current drugs strategy, researchers claim

Researchers are calling for an urgent revision of the government’s drugs strategy to better support women.

A study by University of Staffordshire, Expert Citizens CIC and the Centre for Justice Innovation highlights gender inequities in drug and alcohol services, with its authors calling for improved treatment and support for women with substance-use issues.

Their study, Women Overlooked in UK Drug Policy and Disadvantaged in Mixed-Gender Community Services, highlights significant gender inequities in drug and alcohol services and calls for the next iteration of the national strategy to adopt a trauma-informed, gender-sensitive approach.

Drawing on interviews and focus groups with female service users and professionals, the research found that nearly all women interviewed had experienced adverse childhood experiences, trauma, domestic abuse, or the removal of children by the state — all factors closely linked to substance use.

“Very often women use drugs and alcohol as a coping mechanism for past abuse and to navigate their current challenges,” said Dr Sarah Page, Associate Professor of Social Justice and Social Learning at Staffordshire University. “It can be difficult for women to get mental health support to process childhood and adulthood trauma. We are particularly concerned about girls being groomed into addictive drug usage and sexually exploited and trafficked, and the ongoing issues experienced as these girls grow into adults.”

The study also found that many women felt unsafe or vulnerable in mixed-gender treatment settings, reporting exposure to domestic abuse, sexual exploitation and inappropriate behaviour from male peers. Structural barriers such as long waiting lists, counselling being contingent on abstinence, and lack of coordinated support for housing, childcare and food security further undermined engagement and recovery.

Co-author Fiona McCormack, Research Fellow with the University’s Centre for Health and Development (CHAD), said the findings point to the urgent need for policy reform.
“Based on our findings, we are advocating for the government to revise and improve upon the previous government's national drugs strategy to include more specific guidance for addressing women's treatment needs with gender-sensitive and trauma-informed care,” she said.

The researchers are calling for women-only treatment spaces and a holistic, multi-agency approach that integrates counselling, childcare and housing support to meet complex and overlapping needs. They also urge stronger alignment between the national drugs strategy and the women’s health strategy — particularly around reducing violence against women and improving mental health.