§ Mr. DhandaTo ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what assessment he has made of the level of rehabilitation treatment available for(a) heroin addicts and (b) crack cocaine addicts after custodial sentences have been served for drug related crimes. [113744]
§ Mr. Bob AinsworthThe Government's Updated Drug Strategy recognises the need for effective Throughcare and Aftercare for substance misusers leaving treatment or prison. A comprehensive programme of interventions is being implemented to address the treatment needs of drug misusing offenders at every point of contact in the criminal justice system.
The Prison Service programme Counselling, Assessment, Referral, Advice and Throughcare services (CARATs) offers comprehensive assessments of prisoners with drug problems todetermine individual needs during custody and on release.
Aftercare and rehabilitation have become part of the package of care for substance misusers leaving treatment or prison.Those recovering from addiction or other drug related problems will be given the support and help to meet their needs.
Regular assessments are made of the availability and quality of drug treatment at a local level, including treatment for ex-prisoners, by the National Treatment Agency (NTA). It has been given the authority to set standards and monitor both the commissioning and delivery of drug treatment, so that by 2008 we will have doubled the capacity and be in a position to treat 200,000 problematic drug users each year.