This guidance sets out a National Combating Drugs Outcomes Framework, which will provide a single mechanism for monitoring progress across central government and in local areas towards delivery of the commitments and ambitions of the 10-year drugs strategy to level up the country.

The outcomes and metrics included in the framework aim to provide a link between action and the impact experienced by individuals, families and neighbourhoods across the country.

Working in partnership is essential to deliver the 3 strategic priorities set out in the 10-year drugs strategy:

• breaking drug supply chains
• delivering a world-class treatment and recovery system
• achieving a shift in the demand for drugs

The guidance identifies key principles and structures to support the formation of effective partnerships and asks local areas to:

• form a clearly defined partnership structure based on a geographical extent that is logical to local residents and consistent with existing relevant arrangements
• select a senior responsible owner (SRO) who can represent the partnership nationally, reporting to central government for its performance, and who can offer challenge and support to local partners to drive improvement and unblock issues when necessary
• involve all those people and organisations affected by drugs in developing joint solutions to these issues