§ Mr. Kilroy-Silkasked the Secretary of State for Social Services what is his latest estimate of the number of persons addicted to (a) sedatives and (b) tranquillisers.
§ Mr. John PattenThe information requested is not collected centrally.
§ Mr. Kilroy-Silkasked the Secretary of State for Social Services what specialist services are available within the National Health Service for those addicted to prescribed tranquillisers or sedatives.
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§ Mr. John PattenThere are no specialist services available within the National Health Service specifically for those addicted to prescribed tranquillisers or sedatives. They would normally either be treated by their general practitioner or referred for treatment under the hospital general medical and psychiatric services. A copy of a report containing guidelines for good clinical practice in the treatment of drug misuse, including guidance on the treatment of those addicted to tranquillisers or sedatives, was sent to every doctor in the country last year. All doctors should therefore now have the basic information necessary to enable them to help this group.