Public Health Minister Dawn Primarolo today announced £398m funding for drug treatment for 2008/09 to build on the successes of existing drug treatment programmes.
Details: Record levels of investment have delivered record numbers entering and staying in drug treatment services. 195,000 people received treatment in 2006/07, 130 per cent more than in 1998.
The Drug Treatment Budget is changing to a system of allocations per person treated, rather than by formula, thus ensuring that the investment goes where it is most needed. This change is occurring over four years to ensure that the resources secure the best return in regards to the delivery of effective treatment.
Dawn Primarolo said:
"Today's announcement demonstrates that tackling drug misuse is a key Government priority and we have achieved a great deal in tackling the harm that drugs cause to both individuals and society.
"We have reduced drug-related deaths and overall levels of drug-related crime. More people are entering drug treatment programmes than ever before, waiting less time and staying on treatment programmes for longer.
"For every £1 spent on treatment, at least £9.50 is saved in crime and health costs. This will help get drug users out of a painful cycle of drug addiction, a life away from drugs for the user and a new future for families, friends and communities whose lives have been impaired by the misery of drug addiction.
"The move towards allocating funding in a fairer way - per person treated - will ensure that this treatment is focussed where it is most needed."
Notes to Editors
1. For enquiries, please contact the Department of Health on 020 7210 4850.
2. Although overall responsibility for the delivery of the Government's Drugs Strategy rests with the Home Office, the drug treatment element is the responsibility of the Department of Health.
3. Drug Action Teams are a body made up of all the key local partners (eg. PCT's, Local Authorities, the Police and Probation) and they have responsibility for the commissioning of drug treatment services to meet the needs of their local population.
4. The National Treatment Agency (NTA) were set up as a Special Health Authority in April 2001 with the remit of expanding the availability and quality of drug treatment. They are also responsible for monitoring the spend of the Pooled Drug Treatment budget. They are accountable to the Secretary of State for Health.
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