HC Deb 31 March 2004 vol 419 cc1514-5W
Bob Spink

To ask the Secretary of State for Health what types of treatment are generally available in prisons for each form of drug addiction; and if he will make a statement.[164247]

Dr. Ladyman

A comprehensive range of drug treatment is available to address the differing needs of drug misusers. The general health examination/ assessment a prisoner receives on first reception into custody aims to identify past and present drug usage and engagement with community drugs teams. A clinical decision is then reached about the next steps in the management of each individual prisoner. This can be either detoxification or substitute prescribing, as a prelude to a broader based drug treatment programme.

Counselling, assessment, referral, advice and throughcare (CARAT) service is available in every establishment. CARAT workers, together with healthcare staff where possible, assess a prisoner's treatment needs and devise a care plan based on level of need and time in custody. CARAT provides case management and lower level interventions and is available in all establishments. Intensive rehabilitation programmes are provided through a range of 60 accredited drug rehabilitation programmes, including four therapeutic communities.

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