§ Mr. LawsTo ask the Secretary of State for Health what proportion of problem drug misusers, including prisoners, were in drug treatment programmes in each year since 1997–98: and if he will make a statement. [69106]
§ Ms BlearsThe estimated number of problem drug users in the United Kingdom is between 260,000 and 340,000.
It is estimated that there were around 118,500 drug misusers in treatment in England, in 2000–01 (from 'Statistics from the Regional Drug Misuse Databases on drug misusers in treatment in England, 2000/01'); comparable information is not available for earlier years. The number of users presenting to drug misuse agencies 1218W (including both general practitioners and other agencies) in England in each of the six month periods ending 31 March 1997 to 31 March 2001 is given in the table.
Number of users presenting for treatment to drug misuse agencies in England during the six month periods ending 31 March 1997 to 31 March 2001 Six month period ending Number of users March 1997 25,925 September 1997 21,996 March 1998 23,916 September 1998 28,599 March 1999 28,499 September 1999 30,545 March 2000 31,815 September 2000 33,093 March 2001 33,234 Source:
Statistics from the Regional Drug Misuse Databases, Department of Health
The figures above exclude treatment in prisons. The Prison Service does not hold this information. Figures on the number of prisoners entering drug treatment programmes is available but only for the period 2000 to 2002. They are:
- 2000–01, there were 3,100 entrants
- 2001/02 there were 4,691 entrants.