Written question asked by Bob Spink (Independent (affiliation)) on Tuesday, 14 July 2009, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Thursday, 16 July 2009. It was answered by Baroness Merron (Labour) on Tuesday, 21 July 2009 on behalf of the Department of Health.

Drugs: Misuse

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what treatments are provided by the NHS for problem drug users; and if he will make a statement.

Answer: The National Health Service provides a range of treatments for drug misuse. 'Models of Care for Treatment of Adult Drug Misusers', published by the National Treatment Agency for Substance Misuse in 2006, sets out a national framework for the provision of drug misuse treatment services. Types of interventions described include:"substance misuse related advice and information;""harm reduction interventions;""community prescribing interventions: general practitioner prescribing and specialist prescribing;""structured psychosocial interventions;""structured day programmes;""in-patient drug treatment;""residential rehabilitation; and""aftercare."These interventions are provided as part of a package of care for individuals, and one person may receive a number of these interventions during their time in treatment.In addition the NHS works in partnership with other agencies to support the social reintegration of problem drug users to help underpin the process of their becoming drug-free.

Secondary information