Burnham calls for improved drug rehabilitation services in Wales. (Eleanor Burnham )

Cymraeg
English

Eleanor Burnham <info@eburnham.org.uk>

Burnham calls for improved drug rehabilitation services in Wales.

January 30, 2008 12:00 AM

Eleanor Burnham, Welsh Liberal Democrat Assembly Member for North Wales, today urged the Welsh Assembly Government to improve the services that treat patients suffering substance misuse addiction across Wales calling for better cross-service provision, reduction in waiting lists and more rehabilitation facilities in Wales.

Ms Burnham said:

"Drug use has been increasing steadily over the last decade with more and more people taking Class A drugs. Whilst I am concerned about the availability of these drugs to people in Wales, I am troubled with the rehabilitation system we have in place to get people off this misuse of drugs.

"As a former magistrate, I believe that we need to have an active working partnership between the health services and judicial system to be able to deal with the growing number of people who misuse drugs. This is primarily a health issue and it's obvious that the present system within the judicial portfolio isn't working. Last Autumn conference, the Welsh Liberal Democrats called for a full and frank debate on drugs Reform.

"It is appalling that there are only three In-Patient Detoxification facilities in Wales, two of which are based in South Wales and only three Residential Rehabilitation facilities- with most of theses Rehabilitation facilities offering no detox programmes. This is putting a huge strain on the waiting list and the patients who desperately want to recover from their addiction are dismayed by the waiting list and long travel times to facilities."

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