§ Lord Adebowaleasked Her Majesty's Government:
How many people on the drug intervention programme (DIP) in England and Wales have received treatment for addiction to crack cocaine for each year for which figures are available; and what targets they have set for the years 2005–06 and 2006–07 for the number of people to receive such treatment on the DIP; and [HL851]
How many people on the drug intervention programme (DIP) in England and Wales have received treatment for addiction to heroin for each year for which figures are available; and what targets they have set for the years 2005–06 and 2006–07 for the number of people to receive such treatment on the DIP; and [HL852]
How many people on the drug intervention programme (DIP) in England and Wales have received treatment for combined crack cocaine and heroin dependency for each year for which figures are available; and what targets they have set for the years 2005–06 and 2006–07 for the number of people to receive such treatment on the DIP. [HL853]
§ The Minister of State, Home Office (Baroness Scotland of Asthal)Figures are currently available for the total number of drug users entering treatment through the drug interventions programme, many of whom may be primary crack cocaine users but receive treatment for the range of substances used.
Between April 2003 and March 2004 an estimated 1900 people entered treatment through the drug interventions programme in those areas operating the "intensive" programme. Between April 2004 and November 2004, over 9,000 people entered treatment through the programme, with 211 per cent more people entering treatment in November than in April. In 2005 to 2007, we are on track to achieve our ambition of getting 1,000 offenders a week into treatment by March 2008 and are currently running ahead of the interim target to get 1,250 offenders per month into treatment by March 2005.
The drug interventions programme is having a positive impact on drug treatment for all drug users and is acting as a catalyst to improve availability, accessibility and quality of treatment.