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Drug users face treatment wait | Drug users face treatment wait |
(about 4 hours later) | |
Problems with waiting times for treating heroin users in Wales have been highlighted by an official report. | Problems with waiting times for treating heroin users in Wales have been highlighted by an official report. |
The review by Healthcare Inspectorate Wales (HIW) was commissioned by social justice minister Dr Brian Gibbons and it makes 34 recommendations. | The review by Healthcare Inspectorate Wales (HIW) was commissioned by social justice minister Dr Brian Gibbons and it makes 34 recommendations. |
Waiting times are called a "significant barrier" to getting treatment in some parts of Wales, while there is also a lack of mental health support to users. | Waiting times are called a "significant barrier" to getting treatment in some parts of Wales, while there is also a lack of mental health support to users. |
But Dr Gibbons said there had been a huge expansion in services. | But Dr Gibbons said there had been a huge expansion in services. |
The report recommends better systems to protect children and vulnerable adults and give information after reviews into drug-related deaths. | The report recommends better systems to protect children and vulnerable adults and give information after reviews into drug-related deaths. |
Some service premises were found to be inadequate, said the report, along with access to mental health support for substance abusers in many areas. | Some service premises were found to be inadequate, said the report, along with access to mental health support for substance abusers in many areas. |
Among other recommendations are identifying better ways to access services and improve waiting times. | Among other recommendations are identifying better ways to access services and improve waiting times. |
'Increased crime' | 'Increased crime' |
This first in a series of reviews of the level of service across Wales focused on the provision of substitute drugs such as methadone for users of illegal drugs like heroin. | This first in a series of reviews of the level of service across Wales focused on the provision of substitute drugs such as methadone for users of illegal drugs like heroin. |
There had been advances in availability of services, said the report, but there were still variations across Wales with waiting times a significant barrier in some areas. | |
The report highlights concerns about levels of support for children and vulnerable adults and warns about "leakage" of prescribed medication on to the illegal market which has been linked to a number of drug-related deaths. | |
Peter Higson, chief executive of HIW said: "Substance misuse affects not only those who misuse substances but also their families and friends. | Peter Higson, chief executive of HIW said: "Substance misuse affects not only those who misuse substances but also their families and friends. |
"It can result in increased crime, poor educational achievement and anti-social behaviour. Hence the effects on society in general can be far-reaching." | "It can result in increased crime, poor educational achievement and anti-social behaviour. Hence the effects on society in general can be far-reaching." |
The most pressing barrier for many users is the time they have to wait for treatment Healthcare Inspectorate Wales | |
Dr Brian Gibbons said: "This report is the first full stock-take of substance misuse in Wales. | Dr Brian Gibbons said: "This report is the first full stock-take of substance misuse in Wales. |
It provides us with a platform to build on the considerable progress made in recent years." | It provides us with a platform to build on the considerable progress made in recent years." |
The report follows claims last year that heroin addicts in Swansea were waiting over 12 months for help. | The report follows claims last year that heroin addicts in Swansea were waiting over 12 months for help. |
The Swansea Drugs Project said then there was a "crisis" in the availability of treatment and called for more funding. | The Swansea Drugs Project said then there was a "crisis" in the availability of treatment and called for more funding. |
Alan Andrews, a former drug addict who now runs the drug intervention drop-in centre Choose Life Cymru in Llanelli, Carmarthenshire, said he would also like to see more investment in the services that support addicts in their battle to come off drugs. | Alan Andrews, a former drug addict who now runs the drug intervention drop-in centre Choose Life Cymru in Llanelli, Carmarthenshire, said he would also like to see more investment in the services that support addicts in their battle to come off drugs. |
"Most drug addicts don't choose to be drug addicts," he said. | "Most drug addicts don't choose to be drug addicts," he said. |
"I don't think it's as simple as prescribing medication to get people off drugs. Addicts have long-term issues that need to be addressed if they are to stay clean. | "I don't think it's as simple as prescribing medication to get people off drugs. Addicts have long-term issues that need to be addressed if they are to stay clean. |
"Yes, there should be a place for those substitute drugs (such as methadone) but there also has to be day-to-day support for people to make the changes that they need in their lives to bring about positive change." | "Yes, there should be a place for those substitute drugs (such as methadone) but there also has to be day-to-day support for people to make the changes that they need in their lives to bring about positive change." |
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