Drug addicts ‘slipping through the treatment net’

Mar 22 2008 by Liza Williams, Liverpool Daily Post

THOUSANDS of drug addicts in Liverpool are slipping through the net because treatment services are not developed enough, according to a patient group report.

The document from the Public and Patient Forum for Mersey Care NHS Trust concludes that the situation is improving within the city but that much more needs to be done to reduce drug abuse and the social problems that arise from it. It is estimated that 12,500 substance misusers are resident in Liverpool, but the report says only 3,000 are treated at any one time in the city, including 200 in Walton prison.

It recommends an increase in residential places for users, along with better collaboration between health bodies and more non-residential and psychological support.

It also suggests that a chair in substance misuse should be established at the University of Liverpool and that staff should be encouraged to gain further qualifications and experience.

Chair of the group Dr Emlyn Williams said: “The service is working but it is not developing and not best serving the population.

“It is easy to say money is going into these services but you need to look at what is being done and how bodies work with each other.

“In Liverpool, there is some really good innovative practice but we need to build on that.

“The effect on our society is far reaching.

“Users are frequently involved in anti-social and criminal activity as well as being at risk of developing psychotic disorders.

“Services now find themselves dealing with families in which children, parents and grandparents are part of the drug scene.”

Dr Williams, a physician at the Royal Liverpool, is also concerned that early release from prisons will ruin the achievements of drug programmes in jails.

The report quotes one staff member at Walton prison as saying: “It’s like a revolving door here. We get them clean and then they’re back so we have to do it all over again.”

It also criticises some of the buildings used by Mersey Care, the main provider of services for serious drug misuse.

Mersey Care says it welcomes the report and will be discussing any implications with the Drug and Alcohol Action Team (DAAT), the co-ordinating body for drugs services in the city, on March 27.

A spokesman said: “Management of how all the parts of this system fit together does not rest solely with Mersey Care.

“The Trust can only provide services that are commissioned and suitably funded.

“A number of points raised in the report over which Mersey Care has control have already been acted on, although issues such as lack of suitable accommodation will only be remedied through long-term plans and funding.

“Mersey Care has a strategic objective to provide new and fit-for-purpose facilities across all its services over the next five years or so.

“Latest figures show that of the 95 patient discharges from our drug services during February 2008, 70% were discharged into other ‘known services’ – providing ongoing support and treatments. Inevitably some people will refuse further help or may drop out of treatment for other reasons.”

The Trust added it is meeting Healthcare Commission and National Treatment Agency targets for the number of patients retained in drugs services’ treatment.

lizawilliams