More money is to be invested in the treatment of drug misusers in England, the government has announced.
Health Secretary John Reid pledged £219m for drug treatment services by 2008. He said drug action teams' budgets would increase by 55% .
Mr Reid added that the funding would mean more specialist drugs workers and more in-patient treatment centres.
The National Treatment Agency said the extra funding would enable local services to be improved.
The Department of Health said £179m of the extra money would go directly to Drug Action Teams for the treatment of the 50,000 most seriously affected drug users.
This would include persistent offenders and drug misusers who also have alcohol and mental health problems, who often fail to complete treatment courses.
In addition to more specialist workers and in-patient detox treatment, the extra funding will help treat an extra 40,000 people and expand treatment for under 18s.
Posted by James at September 30, 2004 03:06 AM