This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It will not be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/-/1/hi/wales/wales_politics/8219924.stm

The article has changed 2 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 0 Version 1
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. 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.
Waiting times were falling generally but remained a significant barrier to accessing services 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."
Addicts have long-term issues that need to be addressed if they are to stay clean Alan Andrews, Choose Life Cymru 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."