Drugs Strategy (Hansard, 16 December 2002)

§ Mr. Streeter
To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department which targets have been(a) abandoned, (b) retained and (c) newly adopted following the updated drug strategy; and how progress on targets is to be monitored and reported. [86536]

§ Mr. Bob Ainsworth
We have not abandoned our targets. Following a review of the Drug Strategy, we concluded that the targets covered the right areas but, as the Home Affairs Committee noted, in some cases they were aspirational. We need targets which are challenging but achievable and which drive an emphasis on tackling problematic drug use and on reducing the harm caused by drugs.
The new targets are set out in the list. The targets are monitored and delivered by Departments working closely together, although each target has a lead Department which co-ordinates delivery. These are indicated in the list.
We will continue to report publicly on our progress through general reports on the strategy and through specific statistical bulletins. As with previous targets, more detailed information on how the new targets will be measured will be set out in technical notes available on departmental websites. The Department of Health Technical Note is already on their website at http://www.doh.gov.uk/psa/index.htm. Other technical notes will be published shortly.
Public Service Agreement (PSA) targets from the previous spending review (SR2000) and the corresponding new targets from this latest spending review (SR2002). Young People (Home Office lead) SR2000 target: reduce the proportion of people under the age of 25 reporting the use of class A drugs 25 per cent. by 2005 and by 50 per cent. by 2008 New target: reduce the use of class A drugs and the frequent use of any illicit drug among all young people under the age of 25 especially by the most vulnerable young people 652W Tackling Supply: (Her Majesty's Customs and Excise lead) SR2000 target: reduce the availability of Class A drugs by 25 per cent. by 2005 and 50 per cent. by 2008 New target: reduce the availability of illegal drugs by increasing: the proportion of heroin and cocaine targeted on the UK which is taken out; the disruption /dismantling of those criminal groups responsible for supplying substantial quantities of class A drugs to the UK market; and the recovery of drug-related criminal assets. And the Foreign and Commonwealth Office has also set a target to: Contribute to the reduction of opium production in Afghanistan, with poppy cultivation reduced by 70 per cent. within five years and elimination within 10 years. Drug related crime: (Home Office lead) SR2000 target: reduce the levels of repeat offending among drug misusing offenders by 25 per cent. by 2005 and 50 per cent. by 2008 New target: reduce drug-related crime, including as measured by the proportion of offenders testing positive for arrest Treatment: (Department of Health lead) SR2000 Target: Increase the participation of problem drug users in drug treatment programmes by 55 per cent. by 2004 and by 100 per cent. by 2008. New target: Increase the participation of problem drug users in drug treatment programmes by 55 per cent. by 2004 and by 100 per cent. by 2008, and increase year on year the proportion of users successfully sustaining or completing treatment programmes.

§ Mr. Streeter
To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many places are available on government—unded drug rehabilitation programmes; and how many will be made available as a result of the Updated Drugs Strategy. [86539]

§ Mr. Bob Ainsworth
Since 1997 the number of treatment services in England has increased by a third to 715. Under the Updated Drug Strategy, the National Treatment Agency will continue to work to increase the number and capacity of all treatment services to meet the target of doubling the number of people in structured treatment to 200,000 a year by 2008.

§ Mr. Streeter
To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what part the concept of indefinite remedial care and harm minimisation for individuals using illegal drugs or prescribed substitutes will play as an alternative to rehabilitation and abstinence under the Updated Drug Strategy. [86540]

§ Mr. Bob Ainsworth
The primary goal of all treatment is abstinence while recognising that some drug misusers may require longer-term support to achieve this. Approaches, such as prescribing methadone or diamorphine as a substitute for illicit opiates, have proven benefits for certain individuals and for society, particularly in terms of stabilising the individual, and reducing injecting behaviour and criminal activity.
The Updated Drug Strategy also contains as a key element the target of reducing drug-related deaths by 20 per cent. by 2004—often the final tragic result of years of risky patterns of use and poor health. Improving the basic health of drug misusers benefits them and the wider community. Programmes will focus on the key risks to health, reaching out on to the street and other places to target drug misusers in crisis.
653W

§ Mr. Streeter
To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what breakdowns are available for each of the four headings in the direct annual expenditure table on page 64 of the Updated Drugs Strategy document. [86543]

§ Mr. Bob Ainsworth
The following initiatives will be among those funded from the additional expenditure being injected into the Drug Strategy.Drug Treatment An expansion of the volume and range of treatment provision including treatment in adult Prisons. Protecting Young People The Positive Futures programme; Outreach workers for young people; Expansion of treatment and care both in the community and in custodial facilities; Arrest referral and community treatment for young people; Community sentences for young people; and Drug workers in juvenile custodial facilities. Safeguarding communities. The expansion of drug testing for those arrested for certain offences; The introduction, on a pilot basis, of a presumption against bail for those arrested for certain offences who test positive and decline treatment; The expansion of Drug Treatment and Testing Orders and the introduction of generic community sentences; Consolidation and improvements in the quality of the Arrest Referral initiative; and The Introduction of a comprehensive programme of throughcare and aftercare for those in and leaving treatment, including those leaving prison. The amount spent on each initiative may vary from year to year as an initiative is rolled out and as the actual as opposed to estimated costs are established.

§ Mr. Streeter
To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will make a statement on the access to drug detox and rehab programmes of drug addicts(a) within the criminal justice system and (b) outside of it; and if it is an aim of the Updated Drug Strategy to achieve equality of access. [86544]

§ Mr. Bob Ainsworth
Treatment works. It leads to reductions in both drug use and offending. We want to ensure that all those in need of treatment have access to it, whether it is through the community or criminal justice system.
The Updated Drug Strategy focuses on getting problematic drug users into treatment. Filling gaps in provision, reducing waiting times and using every opportunity presented by the criminal justice system will ensure this target is met.

§ Mr. Gary Streeter
To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what plans the Government has to monitor average persistence of prescribed(a) diamorphine and (b) methadone use per individual under programmes supported by the Updated Drug Strategy. [86545]

§ Mr. Streeter
Under the Updated Drug Strategy, the treatment target has been extended not only to monitor the n umber of drug misusers entering treatment services, but also to monitor the proportion of users successfully sustaining or completing treatment programmes. This654W will include drug misusers on diamorphine or methadone prescribing programmes. Performance against the treatment target will be monitored by the National Drug Treatment Monitoring System.