§ Mrs. Beckettasked the Secretary of State for Social Services what recent report he has received about the increase in drug addiction in the east midlands; whether he intends to make available additional funds to increase the number of beds in the unit to treat addiction in the east midlands; whether he will also provide funds to provide additional units elsewhere than Nottingham, and to increase facilities in addition for after-care and for family support; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. John PattenInformation from health authorities covering the east midlands has been published in "Drug Misuse: Prevalence and Service Provision" (DHSS, June 1985), a copy of which is in the Library. It is for health authorities, in consultation with other service providers, to determine the level of provision for the treatment and follow up of drug misusers in their areas. Health authorities were invited to submit applications for central funding where they considered increased provision for drug misusers was necessary and central funding has recently enabled the Mapperley unit in Nottingham to open an outpatient and community centre. The Mapperley unit provides a specialist service for six districts. Applications under the initiative for funding of a counselling service in south Derbyshire and a community drug team in Leicestershire are being considered.