§ Lady HermonTo ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what research has been undertaken to ascertain the level of(a) need and (b) demand for a dedicated drug rehabilitation service in Northern Ireland. [164539]
§ Angela SmithThere has been no research undertaken to establish the level of need or demand for a dedicated drug rehabilitation service in Northern Ireland.
The need for such research was identified as one of a number of research priorities within the Regional Drug and Alcohol Action Plan and the intention was to provide a report to the Department by October 2003. However, a previously commissioned Audit of Statutory Addiction Services which would inform the needs assessment proposal took longer than anticipated and the final report was not received in the Department until early March 2004. At its next meeting in May 2004, the Treatment Working Group will consider their priorities for the coming year, including the needs assessment for a rehabilitation service, and will make decisions about such priorities within available resources.
I will write to the hon. Lady after this meeting to inform her of the outcome.