National media release: 20 October 2009

The National Treatment Agency for Substance Misuse (NTA), part of the National Health Service (NHS), has today refuted the assertion made by Mitch Winehouse, the father of Amy Winehouse, that the NHS has a one-year waiting list to get into drug treatment. Mr. Winehouse was today giving evidence to MPs in the House of Commons as part of the Home Affairs Select Committee inquiry into the Cocaine Trade.

The NTA confirmed that contrary to Mr Winehouse’s assertion, waiting lists for NHS drug treatment in England had fallen to an average of one week, and 93% of people needing treatment get help within three weeks. The vast majority of people needing drug treatment receive support from specialist community drugs services, and the average waiting time for those who need residential rehabilitation is less than three weeks. The statistics on waiting times are published annually by the National Drug Treatment Monitoring System (NDTMS).

It is also inaccurate to say that the majority of treatment funds are taken up by those in the criminal justice system. Drug treatment in England is available to anyone who needs help: about a quarter of referrals come through the criminal justice system, but the rest are from other sources such as self-referrals, or other health and social services.

207,580 adults were in treatment for drug misuse in England in 2008/09, the highest number recorded as the treatment system has expanded over the last few years.

Paul Hayes, Chief Executive, NTA, said:

“Drug treatment in England has never been more available to members of the public who need it. We think it is important that the public knows that if they or a family member needs help, they can get it on the NHS.

“Mitch Winehouse was wide of the mark in his comments to MPs today and it’s important to set the record straight.”

The NTA is due to give evidence to the Committee next week.”