Turning Point comment on Government's ten year drug strategy

Commenting on the Government's ten year drug strategy, announced today, Turning Point's spokesperson on drug policy, Harry Walker, says:

"We understand the motivation behind the idea of keeping people in treatment through benefit sanctions. But as a service provider we are aware that in real life such a policy could have unforeseen problems, including a higher bill for the taxpayer through health and crime costs. We would want to see clear evidence from pilot programmes that such a policy would keep people in treatment and would not lead to problems becoming more intractable.

"Such headline-grabbing announcements are also a distraction from the most welcome aspect of this strategy - a focus on finishing the job of treatment by providing support for people to get a job and a place to live to help them to stay off drugs and become active citizens in our society. The pledge to increase the use of community sentences for drug-using offenders, is also to be welcomed.

"We are concerned that the strategy fails to tackle the problem of alcohol misuse: if the government truly wishes to address all the needs of substance misusers so that they can live productive lives in their communities, it must address all the drugs being used by the people this strategy is aimed at. The welcome focus on drug users' wider problems should include a recognition of alcohol so that policy in this area is more joined up, to make sure that treatment works."

For more information please contact:
Steve Palmer
Turning Point Press Officer
020 7481 7639
Out of hours 07786 938 601
www.turning-point.co.uk

Notes to Editors

1. Read Turning Point's response to the drug strategy consultation on our website /drugstrategy
2. Wraparound care: Specific support over employment, housing, social exclusion and healthcare is needed so that people with a history of drug problems can go on to take a full role in society.
3. Changing patterns of drug use: Government must address the absence of treatment for crack and stimulant users, and for those with a dual diagnosis of substance misuse and mental health problems. Alcohol misuse is also a significant problem affecting individuals, families and communities. The strategy should cover all problematic substance misuse.
4. Read the Home Secretary's blog - with reply comments - concerning the drug strategy consultation on the Turning Point blog: http://blog.turning-point.co.uk/?p=51
5. Case studies are available to talk to along with Turning Point spokespeople
6. Turning Point has recently produced the Dual Diagnosis Best Practice Handbook for people who have co-existing substance misuse and mental health problems http://www.hertsmh-turning-point.co.uk/khxc/gbu0-prodshow/H1260-P001.html
7. In May 2007, Turning Point published 'At the Sharp End', a look at 21st century injecting drug use. Click here for report, research findings, press release and audio testimonies of injecting drug users. /Campaigns+and+Policy/at+the+sharp+end
8. Turning Point is the UK's leading social care organisation: Turning Point provides services for people with complex needs, including those affected by drug and alcohol misuse, mental health problems or those with a learning disability. Turning Point provides services in over 250 locations and has contact with over 100,000 people every year.
9. Turning Point is the country's largest third sector provider of drug services. We run services across the full range of drug treatment interventions, both within the community and through the criminal justice system.

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