Addiction psychiatrists have a key role to play in leading the development of a recovery-oriented drug treatment system, Paul Hayes said today

The NTA chief executive urged members of the Royal College of Psychiatrists to take up the mantle of clinical leadership at a seminar on recovery organised for the Faculty of Addictions.

Mr Hayes said the government had set a clear direction of travel in the new Drug Strategy, but the delivery of recovery-oriented services in a locally-owned landscape was uncharted territory for the treatment field as a whole.

Addiction psychiatrists had the knowledge, skills and understanding to play a prominent part in the process of adapting local systems to achieve recovery outcomes in line with the medical and scientific evidence.

Mr Hayes said local clinical leadership was particularly important to maintain investment by local authorities, in support of a level of central spending which is almost unchanged in cash terms for 2011-12.  

"You are not the only players, and will have to work in partnership with service users and other professional groups, but public trust for the medical profession means you have an unrivalled opportunity to lead change locally and ensure resources continue to be spent on drug treatment," he said