§ Mrs. LaitTo ask the Secretary of State for Health what the treatment protocol is for long-term injecting drug addicts over the age of 40. [2819]
§ Ms BlearsTreatment is provided on the basis of clinical need. Hence, treatment of adult drug misusers should not vary according to age. Guidance on the standard to which treatment should be provided is contained within the Department of Health publication "Drug Misuse and Dependence—Guidelines on Clinical Management", which is available in the Library.
Ambitious targets have been set under our 10-year anti-drugs strategy to prevent drug misuse, and to help those with drug problems overcome them. A key target is to increase the participation of drug misusers in drug treatment programmes that have a positive effect on health and crime by 66 per cent. by 2005 and 100 per cent. by 2008.