Numbers starting treatment for drug misuse increase by 20% over two years

Many more drug users in England and Wales are starting treatment programmes than two years ago, but there is still a major problem with people dropping out in the first 12 weeks.

That is one of the messages to emerge from a report by the Audit Commission on drug misuse. The commission, an independent watchdog that monitors public spending, was reviewing progress since its 2002 report Changing Habits.

“Waiting times for treatment are down, and 20% more users are starting treatment than two years ago,” said Zoe Billingham, director of criminal justice and community safety with the commission.

“But …