The forgotten people: drug problems in later life

In March 2014, the Big Lottery Fund (the FUND) commissioned the Substance Misuse and Ageing Research Team (SMART) at the University of Bedfordshire to carry out a short scoping study to provide: An overview of the scale, nature and consequences of drug misuse in older people across the UK. An understanding of the extent to which substance misuse strategies in the four UK countries address the issue. Guidance on what action is most needed and where investment from independent and statutory funders might be most useful. The findings are based on analysis of existing data, a summative review of relevant policy and published literature and interviews with professionals.