Drug treatment funding slashed

Funding for a new drug treatment scheme in prisons will be more than halved this year because of NHS deficits.

NHS drug treatment body the National Treatment Agency confirmed this week the pledge to invest £28m in the integrated drug treatment system in 2006-7 had been cut to just £12m.

And NTA chief executive Paul Hayes said “no final decision” had been made over 2007-8 funding despite a government pledge of £40m for the system, which widens the range of treatment options.

Martin Barnes, chief executive of charity DrugScope, said: “These cuts in spending jeopardise the future of effective prison drug treatment just as Home Office figures show reoffending rates on the rise.”