§ Dr. Summerskillasked the Minister of Health what progress is being made in the treatment of heroin addicts and the control of the misuse of other drugs; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. K. RobinsonConsiderable progress has been made, though problems remain and new ones may arise.
The transfer of heroin addicts from general practitioners to hospitals when the Dangerous Drugs (Supply to Addicts) Regulations came into operation in April was effected smoothly. The number of addicts presenting themselves to hospital out-patient clinics has risen steadily since then, as was expected, and they are accepted without delay. Those who live outside London are encouraged to attend clinics near their homes. The numbers attending at the end of August were 870 in the London area and 204 elsewhere in England and Wales, compared with 687 and 111 respectively at the end of April. The numbers receiving in-patient treatment at the end of August were 75 in the London area and 44 elsewhere, compared with 47 and 40 respectively in October, 1967. Some addicts have been withdrawn from heroin without admission as in-patients.
Methods of treatment and rehabilitation for heroin addicts are still being developed, and my Department is active by promoting exchange of information and views among the clinicians engaged in this difficult work. The Advisory Committee on Drug Dependence has recently presented a report on rehabilitation which will be published shortly.
Certain stimulant drugs are being widely misused, and this misuse has grown since the prescribing of heroin and cocaine came under control. The Advisory Committee is studying this problem, and recently by voluntary agreement with the medical profession and the manufacturers arrangements have been made to restrict the supply of injectable methyl-amphetamine (for example "methedrine") to hospitals, from which it can be made available to any general medical or dental practitioners who need it for administration in medical emergencies. The manufacturers have also decided not to supply injectable methylphenidate ("ritalin") except to hospitals.
379WThese developments have depended on the co-operation of the hospital authorities and their staff, the medical and pharmaceutical professions, pharmaceutical manufacturers, the London Information Service and others, which I greatly appreciate.