NCJ Number
60655
Date Published
1978
Length
44 pages
Annotation
PREVENTION AND TREATMENT OF DRUG MISUSE IN GREAT BRITAIN IS DISCUSSED IN A BOOKLET PREPARED BY THE BRITISH INFORMATION SERVICE, AN AGENCY OF THE BRITISH GOVERNMENT.
Abstract
DRUGS LISTED UNDER BRITISH DRUG ABUSE LEGISLATION INCLUDE OPIATES, CANNABIS, AND BARBITURATES. BOTH OFFICIAL AND VOLUNTARY AGENCIES ARE INVOLVED WITH PREVENTION, TREATMENT, EDUCATION, RESEARCH, PRACTICAL ADVICE, AND HELP IN THE AREA OF DRUG ABUSE. THE 1971 MISUSE OF DRUGS ACT REPLACED PREVIOUS LAWS. KNOWN NARCOTICS ADDICTS IN GREAT BRITAIN TOTALED 1,746 IN 1968 AND 2,023 IN 1977. NEW ADDICTS ROSE FROM 711 IN 1970 TO 1,112 IN 1977. THE NUMBERS BEING TREATED APPEAR TO HAVE LEVELED OFF. CANNABIS REMAINS THE DRUG MOST COMMONLY MISUSED. PREVENTION MEASURES INCLUDE LIMITING THE DRUG SUPPLY, POLICE POWERS OF ARREST AND SEARCH RELATED TO DRUG OFFENSES, CUSTOMS AND EXCISE CONTROLS, CONTROL OF OVERPRESCRIBING BY PHYSICIANS, AND HEALTH EDUCATION. TREATMENT PROGRAMS INCLUDE ATTENTION TO EMPLOYMENT AND HOUSING, AS WELL AS MEDICAL, PSYCHIATRIC, AND SOCIAL CARE THROUGH THE NATIONAL HEALTH SERVICE, SOCIAL SERVICES DEPARTMENTS, AND VOLUNTARY ORGANIZATIONS. REHABILITATION APPROACHES INCLUDE SOCIAL AND FAMILY CASEWORK AND VOLUNTARY REHABILITATION HOUSES. INFORMATION AND RESEARCH PROGRAMS ARE ALSO CONDUCTED. FOOTNOTES, TABLES, A READING LIST, A LIST OF ORGANIZATIONS RELATED TO DRUG ABUSE, AND APPENDIXES ON INTERNATIONAL DRUG CONTROLS, CONTROLLED DRUGS, AND INFORMATION FOR PARTICIPANTS IN METHADONE MAINTENANCE PROGRAMS WHO VISIT THE UNITED KINGDOM, ARE INCLUDED. (CFW)