Drugs
Drug treatment
A major part of our effort to reduce illegal drug use and combat drug-related crime is to ensure drug users get help.
While illicit drug use is widespread, the majority of people who use drugs don’t turn into problematic drug addicts. But many do, and most are addicted to heroin, powder cocaine and crack cocaine.
Authorised drug treatment is the most effective way to tackle problem drug abuse and reduce the crime it causes.
Get help now
If you're addicted or you know someone who is, get help now.
The National Treatment Agency (new window) and the Department of Health (new window) are jointly responsible for drug treatment policy, and their websites offer information for drug users.
You can also find information on treatment on the Tackling Drugs website (new window), and on the web pages of the Drug Interventions Programme (new window).
Facts and figures
- £1 spent on treatment saves £9 in criminal justice costs
- the average waiting time for drug treatment is now 2.4 weeks - the shortest ever
- 99% of health authorities run needle exchange programmes
