Written question asked by Helen Southworth (Labour) on Wednesday, 3 December 2003, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Monday, 15 December 2003. It was answered by Baroness Winterton of Doncaster (Labour) on Monday, 15 December 2003 on behalf of the Department of Health.

Dept of Health

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Health, what assessment he has made of the incidence of people who are diagnosed as having a mental illness who also have a drug or alcohol dependency. - Inc ref to 'Psychiatric morbidity among adults living in private households, 2000'.

Answer: Helen Southworth: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what assessment he has made of the incidence of people who are diagnosed as having a mental illness who also have a drug or alcohol dependency. [142769] Ms Rosie Winterton: There has been no national assessment of the incidence of people who are diagnosed as having a mental illness who also have a drug dependency. The Office for National Statistics (ONS) is responsible for compiling, analysing and disseminating information relating to the United Kingdom's economic, social and demographic statistics. Their report "Psychiatric morbidity among adults living in private households, 2000" is available on the website at www.statistics.gov.uk. Along with others due for publication, the report contains valuable information about the prevalence of mental disorders including those with problems relating to substance misuse amongst adults over the age of 16 in private households. The Government's latest assessment of the numbers of people who have a mental illness and who also suffer from alcohol dependence is contained in the Interim Analytical Report published by my right hon. Friend the Prime Minister's strategy unit on 19 September 2003.

Secondary information

Type: Written question
Reference: 142769; 415 c776W
Session: 2003-04
Subjects: Diagnosis Alcoholism Drugs Mental illness Misuse Psychiatric patients
Link: View this Written question on www.publications.parliament.uk