News

One third of social services departments have largely ignored young drug misusers, according to a new Social Services Inspectorate report.

The 1996-7 study of substance misuse, particularly among children in care, found that a third of social services departments paid little or no attention to the problem and showed little evidence of having any intention to do so.

Inspectors found that in another third of departments, policies and provision were poor or ad hoc. But these authorities were aware of the need to establish services and were in the process of developing strategies through drug action teams.

Only one in three departments had strategies for the development and prioritisation of drug misuse services and were actively addressing the needs of young people. Ten per cent of councils had dedicated budgets and specific services for drug misusers.

The report describes overall provision as 'patchy, underdeveloped and ad hoc, with isolated examples of good practice and innovation'. Inspectors also found that substance misuse among young people in care was significantly higher than average.

Chris Davies, senior vice-president of the Association of Directors of Social Services, said: 'We've got to take a more positive approach to health promotion among young people in care than we do.'

But he added: 'If you're looking at rural areas, there's a limit to how far you can have specialist services.'

Davies recommended that authorities work on an inter-agency basis through drug action teams; conduct local research; talk to young people and their families to find out their needs; and provide training for staff that is tailored to the requirements of each post.

- Substance Misuse and Young People - the Social Services Response is available from the Department of Health, PO Box 410, Wetherby LS23 7LN.