§ Mr. JenkinsTo ask the Secretary of State for Health what the cost to the NHS of treating the symptoms of(a) alcohol, (b) cannabis, (c) heroin, (d) cocaine and crack and (e) ecstasy abuse was in the last year for which figures are available. [179959]
§ Miss Melanie JohnsonThe estimated annual cost of alcohol misuse to the national health service is up to £1.7 billion in England.
Information regarding the cost of drug misuse to the NHS is not available. However, in 2003–04, the Government's pooled budget totalled £243.6 million for the treatment of drug misusers. In addition, it is estimated that a further £200 million of mainstream funds was spent on the treatment of drug misuse.