ABSTRACT
Drug injection causes a diverse range of health harms and is associated with high levels of criminality, family disruption and neighbourhood disorder. The provision of treatment services for drug users is, however, known to reduce drug injecting, the sharing of injecting equipment, health risks, criminal activity and drug misuse more generally (Gossop 2006; Amato et al. 2007; Connock et al. 2007; NICE 2007a). Furthermore, every pound spent on drug treatment in the UK saves the state £9.50 in costs relating to crime and health care (Godfrey et al. 2004). Given the effectiveness of drug treatment, injecting drug users (IDUs) require easy access to services. This chapter explores the extent to which English drug policy has been successful in achieving this by investigating the barriers IDUs encounter when they try to access support. It concludes by reviewing the findings in light of Drugs: Protecting Families and Communities. The 2008 Drug Strategy.
