The Home Office Drugs Inspectorate (also known as the Home Office Drugs Branch) was a branch of the British Home Office. It was formed in 1934,[1] although its origins can be traced back to 1916, and one other reference speaks of June 1922.[2] It was disbanded in 2007.[3]

It was composed of two parts, the Home Office Drugs Inspectorate (HODI) and the Drug Legislation Enforcement Unit. The latter section issued the required licences and gave permission to make, possess and deliver controlled drugs, and also licensed the import and export of the same. The Inspectorate's inspectors inspect manufacturers and suppliers. The inspectors were not pharmacists or doctors and their experience was built up 'on the job' or by reference to previous cases. They could inspect general practitioner's surgeries, but only when they were notified that a problem may exist.[4]

The inspectors had an important role in the early days of drug abuse, when some doctors were accused of over-prescribing drugs of dependence. Some inspectors, for instance, Henry Bryan "Bing" Spear, were of historical importance. Bing Spear was employed by the Home Office Drugs Branch from 1952–1986 and was its Chief Inspector from 1977. He was unusual for the time (maybe even today) for a civil servant in that he had an informal approach to both the addicts and the doctors who treated them. However, Bing was highly committed to the cause and authored a book, Heroin Addiction, Care and Control: The British System,[5] which was published in 2002, following his death in 1995.[6]

References

  1. ^ "A History of Drug Prohibition". Transform Drug Policy Foundation. Archived from the original on 7 July 2012. Retrieved 6 July 2012.
  2. ^ Heroin Addiction care and control: the British System, HB Spear, 2002, page 35
  3. ^ Sarah G. Mars (2012). "'Friendly' Visits and 'Evil Men': The Home Office Drugs Inspectorate". The Politics of Addiction. Palgrave Macmillan. pp. 89–116. doi:10.1057/9781137272218_6. ISBN 978-1-349-30688-6. Retrieved 9 October 2020.
  4. ^ "The Shipman Inquiry". Crown. Archived from the original on 2 April 2002. Retrieved 6 July 2012.
  5. ^ Spear HB. (2002). J. Mott (ed.). Heroin Addiction Care and Control: the British System, 1916-1974. Vol. 96. DrugScope. pp. 99–100. ISBN 1-904-31904-1. PMC 539406. ((cite book)): |journal= ignored (help)
  6. ^ Steve Abrams (30 April 2007). "Rufus Harris". The Guardian. Guardian News and Media Limited. Retrieved 7 July 2012.
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