Deputy First Minister and Cabinet Secretary for Health, Wellbeing and Cities Strategy

Nicola Sturgeon MSP

FIT:08457741741
E: scottish.ministers@scotland.gsLgov.uk

The Scottish Government

Riaghaltas na h-Alba

Ms Kezia Dugdale MSP The Scottish Parliament EDINBURGH EH991SP

DELNERING A GAMES LEGACY FOR SCOllAND

Your ref: ST-20/06/12 Our ref: 2012/0022307 \~ July 2012

Thank you for your letter of 20 June 2012 regarding HEAT targets and waiting times in relation to Drugs and Alcohol. As you will be aware from you role as Co-Convenor of the Cross-Party Group on Drugs and Alcohol, tackling problem alcohol and drug use is a priority for this Government. As such, we have a HEAT (A 11) Target, to be achieved by March 2013, which will ensure that people affected by problem drug or alcohol use receive appropriate treatment within three weeks to support their recovery. Local areas are well on track to achieving this target, engaging problem drug and alcohol users with appropriate treatment services at an earlier stage and increasing their likelihood of achieving a higher rate of successful outcomes. Over the last couple of years specialist alcohol and drug treatment services, commissioned by NHS Boards and Alcohol and Drug Partnerships (ADPs), have undertaken significant service redesign to reduce waiting times and ensure sustainability beyond March 2013. Figures published this month show that waiting times are continuing to reduce with 88% of people now receiving appropriate treatment within 3 weeks of their referral to a specialist drug or alcohol service. The latest drug and alcohol treatment waiting times reports can be seen via the following link: http://www.drugmisuse.isdscotland.org/wtpilot/reports.htm. Already, some 40,000 people have entered specialist addiction services for treatment and care to support their recovery. The HEAT Alcohol Brief Intervention (ABI) Target (now a HEAT standard as of April 2012) is targeted at a different group of people. As I'm sure you are aware, a brief intervention is typically a short motivational interview, in which the costs of drinking and benefits of cutting down are discussed, along with information about health risks. These have been proven to be effective in reducing alcohol consumption in harmful and hazardous drinkers but should not be targeted at dependent drinkers. Over 272,000 ABls have been delivered since 2008 (in Primary Care, A&E and antenatal settings) and we have, as yet, seen no evidence of a surge in referrals to specialist alcohol treatment services as a result.
Taigh Naomh Anndrais, Rathad Regent, Dun Eideann EH1 3DG St Andrew's House, Regent Road, Edinburgh EH13DG www.scotland.gov .uk

Your letter also raises questions on the prevalence of cocaine and benzodiazepine use in Scotland. Cocaine use amongst adults in the general population has fallen. The Scottish Crime and Justice Survey (SCJS): Drugs 2010/11 report shows that 1.9% of adults aged 16+ in Scotland reported cocaine use in 2010/11 compared to 2.7% in 2008/09. This reflects a wider trend of falling drug use in the general population, also evidenced by the SCJS 2010/11. Data is not available combining gender and age sub groups. The Scottish Crime and Justice Survey: Drug Use report is available at http://www.scotland.gov.uk/Publications/2012/03/2775 In 2009/10 the number of individuals with problem drug use (opiates and/or benzodiazepines) in Scotland was estimated at 59,600. An estimate for Benzodiazepine use only is not available. This information is available from the study, Estimating the Prevalence of Problem Drug use in Scotland 2009/10, published in 2011, which can accessed via: http://www. drug misuse. isdscotl and .org/publications/local/preval ence2009 1O. pdf The Scottish Government has invested significantly in strengthening the evidence base on drug misuse in Scotland. You may find it helpful to visit the Drug Misuse Information Scotland website, which disseminates data relating to drug misuse in Scotland. It can be accessed via the following link: http://www.drugmisuse.isdscotland.org/ Tackling the drug problem in Scotland is a major challenge and it is clear that there are no quick fix solutions. Our national strategy, the Road to Recovery, is delivering recovery for individuals, families and communities with record investment in front line services, (162.2 m 2007/08 - 2012/13). In addition, giving individuals in Scotland factual and accurate information on the risks of drug use from a reliable source is vital. The Scottish Government's drugs information service, Know the Score, offers credible and non judgemental information, via a website and free 24hr helpline. I hope you find this response helpful. ~ ~

NICOLA STURGEON

Taigh Naomh Anndrais, Rathad Regent, Dun Eideann EHl 3DG St Andrew's House, Regent Road, Edinburgh EHl 3DG www.scotland.gov.uk

UIo'V.STOR IN PI!.OPLE