Drug-related Illnesses

HC Deb 31 October 2000 vol 355 c336W

Mr. Bercow

To ask the Secretary of State for Health what the estimated annual cost is to the NHS of treating people with drug-related illnesses.[134746]

Ms Stuart

In 1999–2000, the drug misuse special allocation to health authorities for the treatment of drug misuse was £59 million. Local authorities received £3 million through the drug and alcohol special grant for the same purpose. However, through the drug action team templates, health and local authorities report actual expenditure in excess of these levels. In 1998–99, the template indicated that £150.7 million was spent on drugs misuse treatment, inclusive of the special allocation and grant.