A baseline report was published for a study of the effectiveness of drug treatment in England. Treatment seekers were predominantly male (73 per cent), aged between 25 and 44 (72 per cent) and white (89 per cent). Nearly half (43 per cent) of the sample reported lifetime contact with mental health services; 23 per cent had previously been diagnosed with a mental health condition. Over one-third (39 per cent) of the sample acknowledged committing acquisitive crime in the four weeks prior to interview.
Source: Andrew Jones et al., The Drug Treatment Outcomes Research Study (DTORS): Baseline Report, Research Report 3, Home Office (020 7273 2084)
Links: Report | Summary | Appendix
Date: 2007-Nov
195,464 individuals were recorded as being 'in contact with' structured drug treatment services in England in 2006-07. This was 10 per cent higher than in 2005-06, and 130 per cent higher than in 1998-99.
Source: Statistical Press release 18 October 2007, National Treatment Agency for Substance Misuse (020 7972 2214)
Links: NTA press release | DH press release | CSJ press release | Liberal Democrats press release | Guardian report | Telegraph report
Date: 2007-Oct
An article examined the increasing use of the criminal justice system as a means of channelling and coercing drug users into treatment, and the conceptual, ethical, and criminological issues raised.
Source: Toby Seddon, 'Coerced drug treatment in the criminal justice system: conceptual, ethical and criminological issues', Criminology and Criminal Justice, Volume 7 Number 3
Links: Abstract
Date: 2007-Jul
A follow-up study examined how occasional and controlled heroin-users managed their drug use over an extended period of time.
Source: Tim McSweeney and Paul Turnbull, Exploring User Perceptions of Occasional and Controlled Heroin Use: A follow-up study, York Publishing Services for Joseph Rowntree Foundation, available from York Publishing Services Ltd (01904 430033)
Date: 2007-Jul
The government began consultation on its drugs strategy after March 2008 (when the existing strategy was due to run out). It said that a more radical approach was needed to drug-related problems. It asked how could drug treatment be made more cost-effective; and whether children under the age of 11 should be specifically targeted in anti-drugs campaigns.
Source: Drugs: Our Community, Your Say, Home Office (0870 000 1585)
Links: Consultation document | Home Office press release | YJB press release | DEF press release | Transform press release | BBC report
Date: 2007-Jul
An article examined the existing level of user involvement at selected drug treatment agencies. It highlighted important discrepancies regarding both desired level of user involvement and priorities for service developments between service users and providers.
Source: Sabrina Schulte, Jan Moring, Petra Sylvia Meier and Christine Barrowclough, 'User involvement and desired service developments in drug treatment: service user and provider views', Drugs: Education, Prevention & Policy, Volume 14 Number 3
Links: Abstract
Date: 2007-Jun
A report said that the government?s drug policy in England and Wales was failing to tackle the rise in hepatitis and HIV infections, because of changing patterns of injecting drug use.
Source: At the Sharp End: A snapshot of 21st century injecting drug use, Turning Point (020 7702 1458)
Links: Report
Date: 2007-May
A report said that homelessness and substance-misuse services were failing to work together to support homeless drug-users. Efforts to place homeless people in treatment were 'going to waste' when they were not able to get suitable accommodation.
Source: Clean Break: Integrated housing and care pathways for homeless drug users, Homeless Link (020 7960 3010)
Links: Summary | Homeless Link press release | Community Care report
Date: 2007-May
The government published a new action plan to reduce harm from drug use. More effective treatment would be provided to drug misusers, and more support for rehabilitation and abstinence.
Source: Reducing Drug-related Harm: An Action Plan, Department of Health (08701 555455)
Links: Plan | DH press release | Drugscope press release
Date: 2007-May
A study examined demand for user involvement by those with drug problems in decisions relating to their own treatment. Limited resources and service availability, strict agency criteria, lengthy administrative procedures, and statutory requirements could all constrain choice of treatment.
Source: Jan Fischer, Nick Jenkins, Michael Bloor, Joanne Neale and Lee Berney, Drug User Involvement in Treatment Decisions, York Publishing Services for Joseph Rowntree Foundation, available from York Publishing Services Ltd (01904 430033)
Links: Report | JRF Findings
Date: 2007-Mar
An article examined the role of childhood loss or trauma in the lives of people with a history of drug abuse.
Source: Kim Etherington, 'Loss and trauma in the lives of people with a history of drug abuse', Journal of Loss & Trauma, Volume 12 Number 1
Links: Abstract
Date: 2007-Jan