ANNEX A
THE ILLEGAL DRUGS TRADE AND DRUG CULTURE IN NORTHERN
IRELAND (HC 1217-1): SESSION 2002-03
This document represents Government's response to
the additional questions posed by the Northern Ireland Affairs
Committee as a follow up to the Committee's report entitled "The
Illegal Drugs Trade and Drug Culture in Northern Ireland."
(HC 1217-1).
It responds to the questions in the order they were
raised and refers to the numbering in the Committee's report.
Question 1
Has the delayed research by NIO and DHSSPS Drug
and Alcohol Information research Unit into the links between drugs
and crime been completed and, if so, what are the results of the
research? (Recommendation 7, paragraph 82)
GOVERNMENT RESPONSE
As Reported in the Government's previous response
to an inquiry on progress it was stated that a number of preliminary
planning and scoping meetings were held with the PSNI. Further
meetings followed during 2005. As the original research approach
could not be fulfilled it soon became evident that another approach
to tackling this issue was required.
With the assistance of the police central statistics
unit details of the reported crime figures for the last three
full financial years were provided to facilitate detailed analysis.
This analysis has been completed but is currently with the police
for validation and comment.
We will have a clearer picture of the relationship
between drugs and alcohol and crime in Northern Ireland in the
near future.
Question 2
What has been the outcome of the review of the
drug and alcohol strategy due to be completed by March 2005?
When and how will this be used to develop a 'new strategic direction
for drugs and alcohol'? (Recommendation 18, paragraph 111)
GOVERNMENT RESPONSE
The Review was completed in March 2005 and presented
to Minister and the Drug and Alcohol Implementation Steering Group
(DAISG) in June 2005. The issues raised in the Review, and its
recommendations, in particular those relating to monitoring and
evaluation, accountability and the need to extend the strategic
objectives, have played a significant role in the process of developing
the New Strategic Direction for alcohol and drugs (NSD) which
began in April 2005, and are likely to play a further significant
role in the actual NSD proposals when they go out for public consultation
in January 2006, with the launch of the NSD due to take place
in May 2006, and implementation starting in September 2006.
Question 3
What further progress has been made in relation
to making Drug Treatment and Testing Orders available as an option
for use in Northern Ireland? (Recommendation 34, paragraph 172)
GOVERNMENT RESPONSE
To determine whether Northern Ireland should introduce
Drug Treatment and Testing Orders (DTTO), officials from a range
of organisations undertook a series of visits to England and Scotland.
The purpose of these visits was to establish how DTTOs were implemented
in these areas, what practical issues needed to be considered
and what lessons were available from the implementation of these
Orders.
While these visits provided examples of the actual
delivery of the Orders, it was also important to establish on
the basis of the actual court figures, whether there would be
sufficient examples of similar cases in order to implement an
effective NI scheme.
The Northern Ireland Office's Statistics and Research
Branch were invited to analyse the Northern Ireland Court Service
statistics, targeting Crown Court cases which resulted in sentences
between one and five years (they actually examined the level of
disposal, immediate custody, suspended custody, community supervision,
fine, conditional discharge, other) When this analysis was completed
it was evident that further work and investigation was required.
The aim was to identify the level of "hardcore" offenders,
particularly those with a drug offending history as evidence,
particularly from Scotland suggested that high level offenders
(between 60 - 80 previous offences) are the target group most
likely to benefit from such Orders.
Analysis continues, as do further discussions regarding
the practical implications of introducing DTTOs in Northern Ireland
and will be answered by Ministers in Spring 2006.
Question 4
What has been the outcome of the further consideration
of the Hepatitis C Strategic Framework? Has the revised Action
Plan due at the beginning of 2005 been issued? (Recommendation
40, paragraph 197)
GOVERNMENT RESPONSE
Although there has been some further slippage to
the timetable for issue of the action plan, work has been ongoing
to progress many of the proposed action points.
Consultation with lead agencies is underway to secure
their agreement to the proposed actions prior to the issue of
the final action plan early in the New Year. Although the action
plan has not yet been formally issued, a proportion of the action
points have been fully or partially implemented. This has positively
impacted on the treatment of chronic hepatitis C in Northern Ireland.
By the end of October 2005, over 70 patients had been started
on combination therapy and the waiting time for new cases has
been reduced to 6 months. Joint management of haemophilia patients
has also been initiated with haematologists at Belfast City Hospital.
Since January 2004 waiting times for general hepatology outpatient
referrals have reduced from 9 months to 3 months and the waiting
time for routine liver biopsies has reduced from 4 months to 6
weeks.
Action to date includes:
- Appointment of specialist hepatitis nurse and
second consultant hepatologist;
- Additional resources to allow for the prescribing
of the preferred drugs (pegylated interferon and ribavirin) and
considerable inroads have been made into the subsequent treatment
waiting list;
- The publication of guidance for district councils
on the regulation of cosmetic piercing and skin colouring businesses;
- Development of information for health professionals
which will be issued at the same time as the action plan and a
public information leaflet ;
- An evaluation of the surveillance monitoring
arrangements;
- A survey of the prevalence of blood borne infections
amongst the Northern Ireland Prison population; and
- An awareness seminar for those working with drug
users in the West of the Province;
Question 5
The Committee had asked for urgent research into
the level of need for a residential rehabilitation centre or therapeutic
community in Northern Ireland and this was due to be completed
by March 2004. What progress has been made on this issue? (Recommendation
43, paragraph 218)
GOVERNMENT RESPONSE
The research has not taken place owing to competing
priorities and already committed funding. However a draft New
Strategic Direction for alcohol and drugs is currently being collated
for issuing for public consultation in January, and it is likely
that it will contain proposals concerning residential rehabilitation
within the overall regional context of commissioning treatment
and support services. At the same time due note and consideration
is being taken of the needs assessment exercise and subsequent
proposals in relation to this issue carried out recently by the
National Treatment Agency (NTA) in England. The New Strategic
Direction is due to be launched in May 2006, with implementation
starting in September 2006.
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