Drug Misuse: treatment

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The Scottish Executive, NHS boards, local authorities and voluntary sector organisations provide a range of treatment options for people who experience problems related to drug misuse. In addition, 22 Drug Action Teams across Scotland form the focal point for local action on drug misuse, and receive strong support from the Scottish Executive. There are around 300 agencies offering a range of treatment and care to substance misusers in Scotland. These agencies supply anonymised information about new clients to the Scottish Drug Misuse Database.

Chart 1 shows the number of new individuals reported to the Scottish Drugs Misuse Database for the years 1999/00 to 2005/06. In 2005/06, 13 791 new individuals were reported, a decrease of over 1,000 (8%) from 2004/05 (ISD 2006).

Methadone hydrochloride (methadone mixture) is the most commonly used pharmacological treatment for opioid dependence in Scotland. It is used primarily for the treatment of drug addiction.