§ Mr. MichaelTo ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what arrangements he is making for payment in respect of treatment for alcohol or drug misuse ordered by the courts prior to 1 April 1993 but not completed by that date; and who will pay(a) for that part of the treatment prior to 1 April and (b) that part of the treatment after 1 April.
§ Mr. Jack[holding answer 15 December 1992]: Treatment for drug or alcohol misuse may be ordered by the courts (as an additional requirement of a probation order, under provisions introduced on 1 October 1992 by the Criminal Justice Act 1991) only if suitable treatment is available.
Alcohol and drug misusers who are receiving treatment prior to 1 April 1993 and are eligible for income support will generally have preserved rights after 1 April to their existing level of benefit.
§ Mr. MichaelTo ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department who will pay for residential treatment for alcohol or drug misuse ordered by the courts after 1 April 1993.
§ Mr. Jack[holding answer 14 December 1992]: Residential treatment for drug or alcohol abuse may be ordered by courts—as an additional requirement of a probation order, under provisions introduced on 1 October 1992 by the Criminal Justice Act 1991—only if suitable treatment is available.
From 1 April 1993 local authorities will be responsible for assessing the social care needs of alcohol and drug misusers. People who commence treatment in a residential setting after 1 April 1993 and who are eligible, will be entitled to claim ordinary income support, including premiums, and a residential allowance. The local authority will take account of these payments and any other income when assessing the individual's ability to contribute towards the cost of care. Local authorities and probation services will need to liaise to ensure that the needs of those 16W offenders supervised by the probation service who have drug and alcohol misuse problems are considered within community care.
A special transitional grant of £539 million is being made available to local authorities in England in 1993–94 which is ring fenced for use on community care, including the provision of care for alcohol and drug misusers.
Where such residential treatment is to be provided by local authorities then, from 1 April 1993, assessment, availability and funding will be in accordance with the community care arrangements which come into effect on that date. Other residential treatment (not under community care arrangements) could also be ordered—again, provided that was available.