§ 26. Dr. Grayasked the Minister of Health what rehabilitation courses have been organised for hard drug addicts following successful withdrawal treatment.
§ Mr. K. RobinsonMethods of rehabilitation vary with the needs of individual patients and there is no standard formula which might serve as a basis for arranging special courses for heroin addicts; but I have recently issued guidance on the range of services and facilities which may be needed for their rehabilitation and after-care.
§ Dr. GrayWill my right hon. Friend look at the kind of case work in rehabilitation which has been carried out at the Chelsea Addiction Centre, and will he ensure that when he arranges courses for rehabilitation in the future they are sufficiently long and are held far away from urban centres?
§ Mr. RobinsonExperience so far, both in this country and abroad, indicates that only a small proportion of heroin addicts who complete withdrawal treatment are willing to continue with longer-term rehabilitation. Nevertheless, I agree that it is a matter to which we have to turn our attention. I do not think that special courses are indicated at the moment.
§ Lord BalnielI thank the right hon. Gentleman for acceding to our request and publishing the names of the hospitals giving in-patient and out-patient treatment. Surely he ought now to be in a position to announce his proposals for the after-care service, in particular, perhaps, the provision of hostels for those withdrawing from drug addiction in our main cities?
§ Mr. RobinsonI published the list of hospitals when I deemed that it was proper to do so. The hon. Gentleman's hon. Friends asked for it much earlier, and I resisted their blandishments. I have issued a circular on the question of rehabilitation, which no doubt the hon. Gentleman has seen.