THE PURPOSE OF DRUG TREATMENT THE CHALLENGE OF EMPLOYMENT THE CHALLENGE OF HOUSING

1. THE REHABILITATION OF PROBLEM DRUG USERS • THE PURPOSE OF DRUG TREATMENT • THE CHALLENGE OF EMPLOYMENT • THE CHALLENGE OF HOUSING • AMBITION AND CREATIVITY

2. THE REHABILITATION OF PROBLEM DRUG USERS THE PURPOSE OF DRUG TREATMENT The objective of drug treatment should be to direct problem drug users into healthy and sustainable lives at the earliest opportunity, with abstinence likely to be the best foundation for sustainable change. Positive relationships, stable and secure housing, and meaningful employment are key requirements for sustainability.

3. THE REHABILITATION OF PROBLEM DRUG USERS THE CHALLENGE OF EMPLOYMENT Overcoming the resistance of employers Overcoming the skills deficits Sustaining engagement with education, training and employment Creating an attractive workforce with credible CVs, employment records and required skills Building employment training and education into treatment Lining up treatment to enable and support education and employment

4. THE REHABILITATION OF PROBLEM DRUG USERS THE CHALLENGE OF HOUSING Increasing the availability of housing stock Improving access to housing Sustaining housing Unlocking unused properties (& private landlords) through Empty Property Schemes & partnership between treatment and housing providers Building housing expertise into treatment from the point of first contact Allocating funds for housing to treatment providers enabling direct purchase of places

5. THE REHABILITATION OF PROBLEM DRUG USERS AMBITION AND INNOVATION… a magnificent tradition. Consumption rooms: CDP 1960s Assertive outreach: The Hungerford Project 1960s Low threshold to high intensity pathway: Lifeline, Blenheim, CDP, Hungerford 1970s Motivational work & BSFT: Blenheim etc 1970s Tx gateways for drug using offenders: PRS 1983, YDRS 1990 Life skills, education, employment: Milton House 1985 Heroin prescribing: Dr John Marks 1980s