Swanswell ‘encouraged’ by fall in heroin and crack users

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Research suggesting the number of people under 35 using heroin and crack in England is ‘plummeting’ is very encouraging but there’s still a lot of work to do, says Swanswell.

The national recovery charity, which wants to achieve a society free from problem alcohol and drug use, is responding to figures from the National Treatment Agency for Substance Misuse (NTA), which says there were 298,752 users in 2010/11 – the lowest in its 12-year history - from a peak of 332,090 in 2005/06 (1).

The research found that the number of people injecting drugs has also fallen – from 129,977 in 2005/06 to 93,401 in 2010/11 (2).

Drug-related crime is also ‘significantly down’ according to the NTA and it estimates that drug treatment prevented some 4.9 million offences taking place in 2010/11.

Debbie Bannigan, Swanswell’s Chief Executive, said: ‘Research from the NTA is very encouraging, as the number of people using heroin and crack has fallen by around ten percent since its peak in 2005/06.

Treatment for drug misuse has changed a lot over the years, so the results are testament to the hard work organisations are doing to help people into recovery and ultimately lead drug-free lives.

We mustn’t forget there are almost 300,000 people in England still using heroin and crack, many of which are over 35 and have been using drugs for a long time according to the research, so there’s still a lot of work to do in order to achieve a society free from problem drug – and alcohol – use.

As we move into a new chapter with Public Health England, we hope to see an increased focus on tackling emerging drugs such as legal highs, alongside a continued fall in heroin and crack use.’

References

  1. BBC News 2013. Heroin and crack use falling says National Treatment Agency. [online]. Available at http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-21689709
  2. NTA 2013. Fall in heroin and crack use as drugs lose appeal, particularly for the young. [Online]. Available at http://www.nta.nhs.uk/news-2013-prevalence.aspx

For more information or supporting photographs, contact Stuart Goodwin:

Swanswell
Suite5, Hilton House
Corporation Street
Rugby
Warwickshire
CV21 2DN

Tel: 01788 559 422
Email: stuart.goodwin@swanswell.org

About Swanswell
At Swanswell, we believe in a society free from problem alcohol and drug use; that everyone deserves the chance to change and be happy.

We’re a market leading charity with an exciting programme of innovative new service developments and a team of committed people who are working hard to achieve our ambitions.

Swanswell has a number of offices across the country including Coventry and Warwickshire, Birmingham, Barnsley, Sandwell, Leicestershire and Rutland. Visit Swanswell at: www.swanswell.org.

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As we move into a new chapter with Public Health England, we hope to see an increased focus on tackling emerging drugs such as legal highs, alongside a continued fall in heroin and crack use
Debbie Bannigan, Swanswell's Chief Executive