DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH
News Release (2007/0127) issued by The Government News Network on 22
May 2007
Around £2-million
is to be spent to help reduce the number of people dying from drug
overdoses or contracting blood-borne viruses through injecting
themselves with dirty needles.
A new drug Harm Reduction Action Plan, published today, will
result in more effective treatment being provided to drug
misusers, and will provide more support for rehabilitation and abstinence.
Following sharp increases in the 1990s, in the first three years
of this decade, there were significant successes in reducing the
numbers of drug related deaths and preventing cases of blood-borne
virus infections amongst drug misusers. However, recent data
suggests that this downward trend has stopped. In 2005, 1,506 drug
users died in England from drug abuse. 44 per cent current
injecting drug users have contracted hepatitis C.
Public Health Minister Caroline Flint said;
"Tackling drug misuse is a Government priority. Massive
strides have already been made in tackling the harm that drugs
cause to both individuals and society as a whole. We have
increased the numbers of people entering drug treatment, the
number being retained in treatment and reduced the level of crime
associated with drug misuse. Recently, we announced £54.3 million
of funding to expand in-patient detoxification and residential
rehabilitation sectors.
"Still too many young lives are being wasted and young
talent squandered because of drug abuse. The harms, diseases and
sometimes death caused by drug abuse are still a tragedy for those
affected, their families and friends, and the Government is
determined to reduce them."
The Action Plan will help to limit the number of people dying
from drug overdoses and the number of injecting drug users
contracting blood-borne viruses, through a wide range of actions,
such as:
- improving the quality of data on drug overdose-related deaths
and blood-borne virus infections. This will help local
commissioners prioritise harm reduction activity;
- exploring
mechanisms for routine collection of needle exchange data;
-
action plans to improve harm reduction in the poorest 10 per cent
of areas identified through the NTA/Healthcare Commission
Improvement Review in 2007;
- new training and guidance to
service users and carers on how to minimise harm associated with
drug use;
- a health promotion campaign, including hepatitis B
vaccination, targeted at those most at risk;
- regional road
shows that focus on local implementation and highlight key
messages to local stakeholders.
National Treatment Agency Director of Quality, Annette
Dale-Perera said:
"The harm reduction action plan has been developed by the
National Treatment Agency for Substance Misuse (NTA) and
Department of Health working with a group of drug experts
including clinicians, researchers, drug users and commissioners.
"The NTA is confident that with a concerted effort, we can
successfully combat the rising rates of hepatitis, HIV and
overdose amongst drug users. Working in partnership will be the
key to success and this must include working in partnership with
those drug users most at risk to help them change their behaviour."
ENDS
For enquiries contact the Public Inquiry Line on 0207 210 4850.
Notes to Editors
1. The Department of Health is investing £1.5 million in 07/08
into implementing the Drug Harm Reduction Action Plan while the
National Treatment Agency is investing £390,000.