New figures released by The National Treatment Agency for Substance Misuse (NTA) reveal that the amount of people addicted to heroin and crack in England and requiring treatment has fallen by almost 10,000 in the last two years. The numbers dropped from 62,963 people in 2008/09 to 52,933 in 2010/11.

Additional good news was that the figures showed fewer young people were becoming addicted to the substances. Although encouraged by this Simon Antrobus, chief executive of Addaction put the statistics into context saying “While these figures suggest that fewer young people were turning to crack and heroin, Addaction is concerned that an older generation of long-term problem users remains; causing huge problems not only for themselves, but for their children.”

The number of drug users being treated successfully rose by a fifth last year.

NHS’ National Treatment Agency for Substance Misuse has completed a study of women in drug treatment with the latest stats revealing the following:

-  The number of women in structured drug treatment has remained stable over the past few years; women have made up around 25% of the total adult population in treatment for the past five years.

-  The number of women successfully completing treatment for their drug problems has doubled since 2005-06.  Over the same period, the number dropping out of treatment has fallen by a third.

-  While women start using drugs at an older age than men, they are more adept at seeking help for themselves and tend to come into treatment earlier.

-  Most women who enter treatment are mothers - 61% have children, and half of those live with their children.  Parents are also likely to do better in treatment than non-parents.

The National Audit Office’s latest report, “Tackling Problem Drug Use”, shows that the cost of providing effective drug treatment to addict individuals has decreased by 20% in the last five years.  The total funding for treatment per adult in effective treatment stands at £3,000 compared to £3,700 in 2007 which is a 23% fall.

CEO of the National Treatment Agency, Paul Hayes, states: “Anyone who now needs treatment can get it quickly, and record numbers of drug users are receiving help. The numbers dropping out of treatment early are falling, the numbers staying in long enough to benefit are rising, and the numbers successfully completing treatment for dependency are increasing year on year. We have always known that society benefits from effective drug treatment because it cuts crime, improves public health and fosters stable family relationships. We can now demonstrate how the treatment system has risen to the challenge of delivering greater productivity for taxpayers as well.”

NHS’ National Treatment Agency for Substance Abuse (NTA) released last week the results of a new study relating to cocaine users in treatment.  According to the research, 10% of drug users in treatment in England are in treatment for cocaine (powder) addiction.  This is a 4% increase in four years.  70% of those who continued treatment either stopped consumption or reduced their use within six month. Click here to read the full report.