Treatment
"To enable people with drug problems to overcome them" Government target taken from Tackling Drugs, December 2002
National Targets
The Tackling Drugs targets aim to support individuals in overcoming their drug dependency to achieve their full potential in society.
The targets also aim to ensure that people are increasingly able to access treatment when and where they need in order that help is given at the time when individuals are in the right place personally, to make changes to their drug use.
People who use Class A drugs, such as Heroin and Crack Cocaine, often commit crime to fund their drug habit. In Bedfordshire, people arrested for drug-related offences are offered access to a treatment worker at the point of arrest as part of an overall strategy to break the cycle of drug-related crime and creating healthier, safer communities.
National Treatment Agency
The National Treatment Agency (NTA) was created by the Government on 1 April 2001 with a remit to increase the capacity, quality and effectiveness of drug treatment in England. Improving the quality of drug treatment must accompany the growth of drug treatment if the UK drug strategy is to succeed – in line with the NHS Plan (1998). The NTA will seek to drive up the quality of drug treatment in three ways:
Commissioning
Improving the quality of commissioning will be one of the keys to the NTA's success. Guidance and support will be provided to DATs and their Joint Commissioning Groups (JCGs), on all aspects of the commissioning process, from needs assessment to contract monitoring. In addition, the NTA will seek to enable DATs/JCGs to performance manage service providers and meet central information needs without unnecessary duplication.
Managing performance
The NTA's Regional Managers work with DATs/JCGs and service providers locally to improve the quality and effectiveness of treatment available to their communities.
Inclusive treatment
The drug treatment currently available too often excludes significant portions of England's diverse population. The NTA will work to develop systems of treatment which respond to the needs of the whole population identified through regular needs assessment.
The NTA is a Special Health Authority within the NHS. This provides a range of opportunities to work in partnership with the Department of Health and other NHS structures to enable the NTA to better achieve its cross-governmental responsibilities.
B:DAT & Treatment
B:DAT are responsible for developing appropriate treatment services in Bedfordshire. There are many treatment services available locally offering a range of interventions covering many issues, from advice and information through to residential detoxification and rehabilitation.
B:DAT are working hard with local services to ensure that the different levels of treatment are linked up appropriately in order to provide clients with different options because what works for one person may not work for everybody. B:DAT are also working to ensure that people who have complex needs get the support they need, for example, drug use is often linked to other issues such as mental health, homelessness. B:DAT works with all the relevant local agencies to ensure integrated treatment and support across Bedfordshire for the people who need it.
You can learn more about treatment options in Bedfordshire by visiting the Help and Information pages of this B:DAT site. You can also order your free copy of the Guide to Drugs and Alcohol Services by calling the B:DAT Communities Line on 01234 408051.
Whoever you are and whatever drug and alcohol issues you may have, B:DAT are working in partnership to provide the support that's right for you.