Sir,

The tragic death of Amy Winehouse has sparked a helpful debate about the complexities of treating addiction (Is it time to just say no again? T2, 26 July).

However the popular image of a spell in a luxury rehab, beloved of celebrities and the tabloids, is not representative of the mainstream treatment and recovery services provided in this country by both the NHS and the voluntary sector.

These services are widely available, and for some years now official statistics have confirmed that more than nine out of ten patients wait less than three weeks for treatment in England.

There is an ongoing challenge for the system to respond flexibly to patient choice, and ensure that people with drug problems are helped to become free of addiction in the most clinically appropriate way as quickly as they might wish.

Nevertheless the figures also show a clear trend towards fewer young people and young adults needing treatment, while new research to be published shortly will indicate that the number of entrenched heroin and crack addicts in this country is slowly shrinking.

These are welcome developments but no cause for complacency, since drug misuse has consequences for crime and risks for public health - which is why treatment and recovery services are intensifying their efforts to get more of their clients off drugs altogether and reintegrated back into society.  

Regards,

Paul Hayes

CEO, NTA