Introduction

This introduction presents an overview of key concepts discussed in the subsequent chapters of this book. The book presents a fictitious account of a client with a drug problem engaging with services as they might exist under the Models of Care system. The Models of Care system is composed of five elements: a four-tiered framework for drug and alcohol treatment services, integrated care pathways, assessment within a tiered system, care planning and care co-ordination, and monitoring. Until the end of the last century, services were developed locally and there were huge amounts of competitive bidding for resources to develop services. Models of Care should help ensure a range of treatment responses are available to all people regardless of where they live. The National Treatment Agency (NTA) was established as 'a special health authority, created by the Government in 2001, with a remit to increase the availability, capacity and effectiveness of treatment for drug misuse in England'.