HC Deb 08 May 1984 vol 59 cc372-3W
Mr. Ashley

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services if he will ensure rehabilitation and treatment centres for heroin addicts in every area where there is evidence of an epidemic.

Mr. John Patten

Responsibility for the provision of services for the treatment and rehabilitation of drug misusers lies with health and local authorities, but a central fund of £6 million over three years has been made available for projects to strengthen and improve local services, and a circular shortly to be issued to regional health authorities will ask them to review the incidence of drug misuse in their areas in consultation with district health authorities, local authorities and voluntary bodies, and to report on their plans for tackling it.

Mr. Ashley

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services if he will instigate a large-scale survey on the incidence and causes of heroin use.

Mr. John Patten

I regret that this information is not readily available. For example monitoring the use of heroin forms part of the work of police drug squads and the cost could not be readily identified. The treatment of users is often provided through general practitioner and general pshychiatric services and information about this is not separately identified and collected centrally.

Mr. Ashley

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services if he will instigate a large-scale survey on the incidence and causes of heroin use.

Mr. John Patten

Surveys of a largely illegal activity present special problems. However, the Department has funded research, in London and the north-east, into methods of assessing the extent and characteristics of local drug misuse. A guide to the applications of these methods is in preparation. The Department is also funding studies of the extent of drug misuse in Avon; and into patterns of youthful drug taking in an area in London, which will elucidate factors associated with starting and continuing drug taking.

A circular to be issued shortly to regional health authorities will ask them to review the incidence of drug misuse in their regions and report on the scale of their problems.

Mr. Ashley

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services what is the number and location of heroin rehabilitation centres; and who finances them.

Mr. John Patten

Information about local rehabilitation services for drug misusers is not routinely collected centrally but information on the position as at December 1981 was provided at appendix E to the treatment and rehabilitation report of the Advisory Council on the Misuse of Drugs (i). Costs of services provided at these units are met from a number of sources, including charges paid by residents and grants from local authorities, health authorities, the Home Office and DHSS and the Housing Corporation.

(i) Published HMSO 1982 £3.95 net.