§ Mr. KidneyTo ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what assessment he has made of the performance of the agencies involved in getting money allocated for drugs services to front-line services, with particular reference to drug action teams. [16833]
§ Mr. Bob AinsworthDrug Action Teams (DATs) are key to the local delivery of the National Drugs Strategy. Agencies involved allocating money to front-line drugs 821W services are all represented on the DAT at senior level: education, health, social services, police, prisons and probation.
As part of their performance assessment, DATs provide annual returns on their work over the previous year and their plans for the forthcoming 12 months. The most significant areas of expenditure fall on young people and treatment services, for which DATs provide strategic direction and take necessary spending decisions.
Our assessment of young people's drugs services indicate that between two thirds and three quarters of young people identified as needing support currently receive that support, but there is concern that many young people are not identified early enough. We have approved a regional programme of work which will highlight and disseminate good practice in the planning and commissioning of young people's drug services.
In respect of treatment, our assessment of treatment plans and information on future treatment capacity needs and waiting lists, all indicate that there is wide regional variation between access to services and the quality of treatment.
DATs are now being asked to deliver detailed plans for treatment services by January 2002. The National Treatment Agency (NTA), with Drugs Prevention Advisory Service and national health service partners, will assess allocations of money; the extent to which decisions are based on sound needs assessments; and the quality of services provided. Details of this process are being developed by the NTA.
§ Mr. KidneyTo ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what the budgeted amount is for the pooled drug treatment plan allocation for England in the current financial year. [16832]
§ Mr. Bob AinsworthThe budgeted amount for the pooled drug treatment plan allocation for England in the current financial year is £140 million.