Drug Treatment

HC Deb 09 January 2003 vol 397 cc326-7W

Chris Grayling

To ask the Secretary of State for Health what proportion of people suffering from addiction to class A and B drugs are receiving treatment for that addiction. [88766]

Ms Blears

This information is not available centrally.

In England, during the year 2000–01 the overall number of drug users reported as being in treatment was around 118,500.

John Mann

To ask the Secretary of State for Health of those undergoing drug treatment, how many(a) were referred by a GP, (b) are under GP supervision, (c) are heroin addicts, (d) have a dual diagnosis, (e) are prescribed (i) methadone and (ii) Subutex and (f) are in residential rehabilitation. [86695]

Ms Blears

Information on drug users undergoing treatment is as follows:

In 2001–02, 16 per cent. of drug users presenting to drug treatment agencies in England were reported as having been referred by a general practitioner¹.

In the six month period ending 31 March 2001 around 35,100 clients were reported at drug treatment agencies in England; around 1,900, or five per cent. were reported to be clients presenting to general practitioners².

In 2001–02, 73 per cent. of individual drug users who presented to drug treatment agencies in England were reported as having heroin as their main problem drug^3.

Information about dual diagnosis is not available centrally.

In the six month period ending 31 March 2001, about 8,000 drug misusers presenting for treatment were reported as having been prescribed methadone, amounting to 60 per cent. of all those who had been prescribed a treatment drug, and 420 buprenorphine, or three per cent. Information was collected when the individual first presented for treatment and other drugs may subsequently have been prescribed, as treatment developed⁴.

Sources:

¹ Statistical press release "Provisional Statistics from the National Drug Treatment Monitoring System in England, 2001/02". http://www.doh.gov.uk/public/spndrugs0212.htm.

² Statistical bulletin "Statistics from the Regional Drug Misuse Databases for the six months ending March 2001". http://www.doh.gov.uk,public/sb0207.htm.

³ Statistical press release "Provisional Statistics from the National Drug Treatment Monitoring System in England, 2001/02" http://www.doh.gov.uk/public/spndrugs0212.htm.

⁴ Regional Drug Misuse Databases.