Written question asked by Lord Cameron of Chipping Norton (Conservative) on Wednesday, 14 November 2001, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Wednesday, 21 November 2001. It was answered by Bob Ainsworth (Labour) on Wednesday, 21 November 2001 on behalf of the Home Office.

Home Office

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, how many addicts are receiving methadone replacement treatment for heroin addiction. - Inc figures.

Answer: Mr. Cameron: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many addicts are receiving methadone replacement treatment for heroin addiction. [16023] Mr. Bob Ainsworth: Since the Home Office Addicts Index closed in 1997, the Regional Drug Misuse Databases (RDMDs) have been the main source of information on people presenting to drug treatment services with a drug problem. During the six month period ending 30 September 2000, around 21,200 people were reported to the RDMDs in England as presenting for treatment with heroin recorded as their main drug of misuse. Around 6,200 of these people were reported as being prescribed methadone for treatment at the time they presented; other heroin users may subsequently have been prescribed methadone.

Secondary information