Government meets drug treatment target two years early

More than 180,000 people are now receiving drug treatment services in England – more than twice the number in 1998, according to figures published today.

Public health minister Caroline Flint said the figures showed the government had met the target to double the number of drug users in treatment two years ahead of schedule.

Flint said: “It isn’t just drug users who are benefiting from these world class services. For every £1 spent on drug treatment, £9.50 is saved on crime and health costs, so local communities and the NHS are benefiting as well.”

A separate government target to increase the proportion of drug users sustaining or completing treatment programmes year-on-year has also been met.

Addaction chief executive Deborah Cameron said: “Government investment in drug treatment and in ensuring speedier responses is paying dividends for the service users, their families and for local communities.”

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