Latest statistics from Public Health England show a 12 per cent fall over three years in the number of people in secure settings getting help for substance misuse problems. There were 53,193 adults in alcohol and drug treatment in prisons and secure settings in 2018/19 – in 2015/16, there were over 60,000 people in treatment.
There has also been a marked rise in the number of people presenting for treatment with a crack cocaine problem. In 2015/16, 54 per cent of people using opiates also used crack cocaine. This figure has now jumped to 73 per cent.
Deaths in treatment have also risen, from 43 deaths in 2017/18 to 54 in the latest year. There has been a small increase in the proportion of previously heroin-dependent prisoners being released with take-home naloxone, but this remains critically low at 17 per cent.
Related Content
Improving research career opportunities in the field of substance use treatment
The system we work in lacks incentives to engage in research, but we can learn from other professions and combine practice and research work within
Watch: International Women’s Day 2025 webinar
What is good practice when working with women in drug and alcohol treatment services? Watch the video on YouTube Following on from International Women’s Day
Collective Voice appoints new Chair of Trustees
Collective Voice is delighted to announce the appointment of Rosanna O’Connor as its new Chair of Trustees. View the full list of our trustees here
