Substance misuse treatment ‘still needs to improve in certain groups’

New data from Public Health England has shed light on the areas in which the country's specialist substance misuse services still need to improve their outreach.

Figures for adult and young people using alcohol and drug services in England for 2014 to 2015 have revealed that fewer under-18s are accessing substance misuse services, with adults starting treatment increasingly aged 40 or over.

More than 97 percent of adults start treatment within three weeks, with 98 percent of young people receiving help within this time.

However, the findings indicate that there is an ageing population of heroin users in drug treatment who have wide-ranging health and social problems that they need help with, as they often lack employment, accommodation and social networks.

Drug-related deaths in England have risen in recent years, and are now at the highest recorded level, with older heroin users being particularly vulnerable.

Rosanna O'Connor, director of alcohol, drugs and tobacco at Public Health England, said: "It's vital that local authorities continue to invest so those in need of help are supported on the road to recovery, giving them the best possible chance of living a better, healthier life."