§ Mr. SandersTo ask the Secretary of State for Health what provision is being made in respect of places on fast track and stabilisation programmes for drug users; and if he will make a statement. [7901]
§ Ms JowellIt is for health authorities and local authority social services departments to determine the needs of their local population for treatment and rehabilitation for drug misusers and to commission services to meet those needs.
The Task Force to Review the Effectiveness of Services for Drug Misusers, whose report was published in May 1996, found that treatment and care services were effective in reducing the level of criminal activity amongst the drug misusing population. Guidance to health and local authorities issued in March this year asked them to prioritise the needs of drug misusers who are involved in, or at risk of, criminal activity when commissioning services.
We are committed in our Manifesto to introducing a Testing and Treatment order to break the link between drugs and crime. My right hon. Friend the Home Secretary will be responsible for the introduction of this order.