A think-tank report said that the coalition government's drugs recovery policy – based on payment by results – would only work if: the importance of abstinence-based rehabilitation were recognized, and if bids from small-scale rehabilitation operators were sought; there were one simple measure of success – that of 6 months' abstinence from drugs; and doctors, pharmacists, and drug workers shared in the rewards of getting addicts drugs-free.
Source: Kathy Gyngell, Breaking the Habit: Why the state should stop dealing drugs and start doing rehab, Centre for Policy Studies
Links: Report | CPS press release | DrugScope press release | BBC report
Date: 2011-Jun
An article examined the characteristics of offenders sentenced to compulsory alcohol treatment, and the outcomes and impact of the orders. Progression through treatment was encouraging, with a 70 per cent completion rate and 'positive outcomes with regard to levels of alcohol consumption'.
Source: Jo Ashby, Christine Horrocks, and Nancy Kelly, 'Delivering the alcohol treatment requirement: assessing the outcomes and impact of coercive treatment for alcohol misuse', Probation Journal, Volume 58 Number 1
Links: Abstract
Date: 2011-Apr
A report examined the available evidence on social work's contribution to supporting recovery for those with problem drug and/or alcohol use, highlighting the implications for practice in Scotland.
Source: Sarah Galvani and Donald Forrester, with others, Social Work Services and Recovery from Substance Misuse: A Review of the Evidence, Scottish Government
Date: 2011-Mar
An article examined drinking patterns among minority-ethnic groups (based on literature from the previous 15 years), and considered the evidence for service provision and support. Drinking remained low among minority-ethnic groups, though with evidence of increases in consumption, particularly among Indian women and Chinese men.
Source: Mariana Bayley and Rachel Hurcombe, 'Drinking patterns and alcohol service provision for different ethnic groups in the UK: a review of the literature', Ethnicity and Inequalities in Health and Social Care, Volume 3 Number 4
Date: 2011-Feb
Researchers said that every pound invested in specialist drug and alcohol services for young people saved the taxpayer between £5 and £8 over a lifetime, based on the most conservative assumptions.
Source: Frontier Economics, Specialist Drug and Alcohol Services for Young People: A Cost Benefit Analysis, Research Report RR087, Department for Education
Links: Report | Brief | DrugScope press release
Date: 2011-Feb
A report expressed concerns about the introduction of payment by results for drug treatment services. If introduced too quickly and without thorough evidence-led planning, the new system might not deliver the benefits expected, and might even undermine service provision.
Source: Marcus Roberts, By Their Fruits Applying payment by results to drugs recovery, UK Drug Policy Commission
Links: Report | UKDPC press release
Date: 2011-Feb