---

Northern Ireland Office

Answer

Mr. Opik: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what indicators are used by (a) statutory and (b) voluntary bodies in Northern Ireland to measure the success of programmes working with substance abuse and rehabilitation; and if he will make a statement. [97457] Mr. George Howarth: No common standards or indicators are in place to assess the effectiveness of substance abuse programmes undertaken by the many statutory and voluntary organisations engaged in tackling the problem. However, a number of organisations take steps to assess such programmes ranging from client questionnaires to multi-disciplinary team evaluations. Funding of voluntary organisations by Government Departments is conditional upon the outcome of a rigorous evaluation programme every three years. The new "Drug Strategy for Northern Ireland", published in August, sets out a series of objectives and outcomes in respect of four key areas. The Government will, in due course, publish specific plans as to how these objectives and outcomes will be met but organisations will be held accountable for progress through the drug structures and the action planning process. The new alcohol strategy due for publication in March 2000 will also include specific objectives and outcomes.

Secondary information

Type

Written question

Reference

97457; 337 c596W

Session

1998-99

Subjects

Alcoholic drinks Drugs Northern Ireland Misuse Rehabilitation Voluntary organisations Solvents