The Scottish Executive published an action plan aimed at reducing the number of people who lost their lives as a result of drug abuse.
Source: Taking action to reduce Scotland s drug-related deaths, Scottish Executive, available from Blackwell's Bookshop (0131 622 8283)
Links: Report | SE press release
Date: 2005-Dec
Two-thirds of people in England with a drug problem were reported to be receiving treatment - a rise of 89 per cent between 1998-99 and 2004-05.
Source: Press release 21 October 2005, National Treatment Agency for Substance Misuse (020 7972 2214)
Links: NTA press release | Statistical report | Guardian report
Date: 2005-Oct
Research based upon interviews with drug users suggested that one of their biggest concerns, having undertaken to engage in treatment, was returning to their community without support - especially housing or suitable accommodation.
Source: Sarah Drainey, Jennifer Rooney, Natalie Wood and Mark Stephenson, Aftercare Consultation 2005: The service user perspective, Addaction (020 7251 5860) | Mark Stephenson and Natalie Wood, National Aftercare Research Project Report Year 2, Addaction
Links: Report 1 (pdf) | Summary 1 (pdf) | Report 2 (pdf) | Summary 1 (pdf)
Date: 2005-Oct
Researchers found that psychological therapy for alcoholics saved society five times as much as the treatment cost.
Source: UKATT Research Team, 'Effectiveness of treatment for alcohol problems: findings of the randomised UK alcohol treatment trial (UKATT)', British Medical Journal, 10 September 2005 | UKATT Research Team, 'Cost effectiveness of treatment for alcohol problems: findings of the randomised UK alcohol treatment trial (UKATT)', British Medical Journal, 10 September 2005
Links: Article (1) | Article (2) | BMJ press release | Alcohol Concern press release | Guardian report
Date: 2005-Sep
Provisional figures indicated a 27 per cent increase in the number of people in contact with specialist drug treatment services in England between 2003-04 and 2004-05.
Source: Provisional Statistics for Drug Treatment Activity in England 2004/05 from the National Drug Treatment Monitoring System, National Treatment Agency for Substance Misuse (020 7972 2214)
Links: Report | NTA press release | Drugscope press release | Guardian report
Date: 2005-Jul
A new book re-examined the origin, validity and limits of existing practice in relation to drug addiction. It criticized the narrow approach of medical models and criminal justice interventions; and it challenged the preoccupations of national policy and international research, arguing that addiction was the product of deeper human concerns of identity, meaning and exclusion.
Source: Phil Harris, Drug Induced: Addiction and treatment in perspective, Russell House Publishing (01297 443948)
Links: Summary
Date: 2005-Jan
Researchers examined existing approaches to throughcare and aftercare services for people with drug problems returning to the community from prison and residential rehabilitation centres. Their report described the main approaches to aftercare, identified the key challenges to effective delivery, and highlighted some of the more promising practices in service delivery.
Source: Anne Fox et al., Throughcare and Aftercare: Approaches and promising practice in service delivery for clients released from prison or leaving residential rehabilitation, Online Report 01/05, Home Office (web publication only)
Links: Report (pdf)
Date: 2005-Jan