HC Deb 27 July 1983 vol 46 cc473-4W
Mr. Wilson

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland what guidelines are given to health boards for relative usage of drug clinics and the general practitioners service for dealing with addicts.

Mr. John MacKay

None. The treatment of patients, including drug addicts, is a matter of clinical judgment.

Mr. Wilson

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland what proportions of drug addicts have been cared for, respectively, by drugs clinics, hospitals and general practitioners in the last five years.

Mr. John MacKay

This information is not held centrally.

Mr. Wilson

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland what is his estimate of the number of drug addicts who attend drug clinics.

Mr. John MacKay

This information is not held centrally.

Mr. Wilson

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland what has been the cost of treatment of drug addicts in each year since 1977.

Mr. John MacKay

This information is not available.

Mr. Ron Brown

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland how many known drug addicts in Scotland have received medical treatment for their addiction during 1979, 1980, 1981 and 1982, respectively; and what special help central Government plan to give to the statutory authorities to deal with the problem.

Mr. John MacKay

Information is not held centrally about the number of drug addicts who receive medical treatment for their addiction; but the number of persons in Scotland formally notified as being addicted to narcotic drugs, including re-notification of previously known addicts, during these years was as follows:

Number
1979 135
1980 126
1981 249
1982 391

The Scottish Home and Health Department will shortly be inviting statutory authorities and voluntary organisations to apply for grants to assist local initiatives for the treatment and rehabilitation of drug misusers.