ABSTRACT
From the mid-1990s onwards British governments have increasingly allocated funds for the treatment of substance abusers – they recognise that treatment offers one of their few remaining options. Throughout this book we have wanted to look at the nature of treatment and consider why it should be given this priority. Treatment is defined widely; the definition given by the Royal College of Psychiatrists is used here; that is, as the prevention and reduction of harm resulting from the use of drugs (Royal College of Psychiatrists 2000: 155). Treatments taking place inside the criminal justice system are included, as well as the more traditional settings associated with and by reference to that provided by the National Health Service (NHS) or voluntary services. ‘Treatment’ is a ubiquitous term and we see no reason to restrict its use – at least until there is agreement generally about its nature and effects.
