Pubdate: Sat, 13 Dec 2003
Source: Bath Chronicle, The (UK)
Copyright: 2003 The Bath Chronicle.
Contact:  http://www.thisisbath.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/2700
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Author: Rachel Sugden

WAITING LISTS CUT FOR DRUG ADDICTS

Drug addicts seeking help in Bath have seen waiting lists for treatment 
slashed by more than 75 per cent in the past 12 months. Last year the 
Chronicle revealed that heroin addicts and other drug users were facing 
waits of more than a year for treatment. Now the longest wait is under four 
months and many will be offered treatment within seven days.

The drop in waiting times is despite a huge increase in the number of 
people getting support to tackle their drug problems.

In Bath and north east Somerset the figure has risen from just over 200 in 
1999 to more than 700 people last year.

The Bath and North East Somerset Drug Action Team (DAT) has revealed that 
in 2001 people were waiting almost two years for help.

However, the Drugs Homeless Initiative in Milsom Street, which provides day 
care centres, outreach workers and home help, confirmed the good news for 
drug users in and around the city.

Esther Harris, the structured day care team leader, said: "We offer an 
individual and flexible structured day care service which has been designed 
to ensure that clients are offered appropriate support soon after 
assessment. We anticipate the longest wait for an offer of service is seven 
days."

DAT was established in April 1999 to bring together all the key players 
which have a role in tackling drug issues, which includes police, council, 
primary care trust and the Probation Service.

Before the team was established, the local health authority was responsible 
for the treatment of addicts while the police were responsible for the 
enforcement of drug laws.

But problems occurred because the two bodies and other organisations did 
not always talk to each other. Now DAT is responsible for all of the 
substance misuse prevention, education and treatment services.

Ian Keasey, DAT's joint commissioning officer, said: "Part of the reason 
for the cut in waiting lists is because there has been considerable 
investment in drug and alcohol treatment and part of that has allowed them 
to recruit more better qualified staff.

"It's also partly due to the processes which are getting better with better 
equipment and allowing them to work indifferently.

"We haven't solved the problem. There is still some work to be done to 
reduce waiting times, especially in specialised services where it's someone 
who needs more appointments for more complex problems."

But he added DAT hoped to cut waiting times even further and a review of 
the services has been under way this year to prepare for new Government 
targets.

Mr Keasey added: "This is excellent news because it means we are getting 
people into the service quicker and they are having to wait less for 
treatment."

New Government figures also showed that the Bath area had a 73 per cent 
effectiveness among the clients using its drug treatment service. That is 
one of the highest levels in the country.

Dr Kieran Morgan, director of public health for B &NES and a DAT member, 
said: "We welcome the progress made to ensure that more people get help 
more quickly. But people are still to waiting too long for treatment.

"We have undertaken a major review of all the services and, as a result, we 
are working with the local drug treatment services to ensure they are 
operating as effectively as possible so people can get help when they need it.

"Our target is to ensure that by the end of next year, no one waits longer 
than three weeks to begin getting help."

DAT's chairman Jane Ashman added: "We are pleased at the serious 
improvements in waiting times and the numbers of people receiving help."
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MAP posted-by: Keith Brilhart