In February 2008, the government published a new national drug strategy ‘Drugs: Protecting Families and Communities’. Key to this strategy are four priorities, accompanied by a national three year action plan, that must be reflected in local area planning. These priorities are:

* Protecting communities through robust enforcement to tackle drug supply, drug-related crime and anti-social behaviour.
* Preventing harm to children, young people and families affected by drug misuse.
* Delivering new approaches to drug treatment and social re-integration.
* Public information campaigns, communications and community engagement.

Throughout the past ten years the focus has been on increasing access to treatment. Nationally the numbers entering drug treatment increased during this time from 85,000 to 195,000. Locally, similar success was seen with numbers increasing from 1,950 in 2003 to 3,554 in March 2008.

The new strategy requires each partnership area to set ambitions for increasing the numbers in effective treatment. This new direction focuses on effective engagement, retention, care planning and planned treatment completion. Key to effectiveness is being able to evidence improvements in the individual, including better health, reduced crime, improved housing opportunities and access to training/employment programmes.

To achieve these ambitions Safer Leeds is responsible for the development of an annual treatment plan. This must be based on an extensive needs assessment process and reflect strategic priorities for the city of Leeds.

In this section you will find key documents that evidence this ambition including, Safer Leeds Annual Treatment Plan and the current Needs Assessment. Performance outcomes will also be available, once published on a quarterly basis.

Additionally, Safer Leeds has responsibility for the performance of the new Integrated Drug Treatment Services (IDTS) in both HMP Wealstun and HMP Leeds. Both the Treatment Plan and Needs Assessment for these are also available.

If further information is required, then please contact the Safer Leeds Drugs Team on (0113) 3950839.