Challenges and recommendations for the UK drug treatment system: findings from a UK expert meeting

Abstract

In an increasing number of countries, the UK among them, policy and practice in the treatment of drug dependence is evolving from harm reduction towards a greater emphasis on recovery. The UK Drug Strategy reflects this change and guidance on achieving the objectives of the strategy has been provided by the Recovery-Orientated Drug Treatment (RODT) working group. A meeting of eight UK drug-dependence experts was convened in September 2012 with the aim of providing insights into the current status of treatment for opioid dependence in the UK in the context of these policy changes and to discuss possible future developments. The expert group identified several opportunities where the gap between aspirations for drug treatment services and the current reality could be bridged. Key recommendations made by the expert group included: an agreed definition of recovery; a common framework for treatment commissioning based on evidence-based treatment approaches; integration of service delivery with the commissioning framework; integration between organisations to ensure optimal access to treatment and effective use of all treatment/support options; and a focus on outcomes using existing tools for monitoring drug-treatment outcomes. The recommendations made here have implications for all countries placing greater emphasis on recovery.

• Drug strategy
• drug treatment system
• recovery

Acknowledgements

The authors would like to thank Real Science Communications for providing editorial support.

Declaration of interest

The authors confirm that this material has not been published elsewhere and is not currently being considered for publication elsewhere. All authors have been personally and substantially involved in the work leading to the paper and will hold themselves jointly and individually responsible for its content. All authors had complete editorial freedom at all stages and were actively involved in the concept of the article. All authors critically reviewed the article for intellectual content and had final approval of the version to be submitted. The sponsor was given the opportunity to make comments to the outline and one draft of the article.

All authors received an honorarium from Reckitt Benckiser Pharmaceuticals in recognition of time spent participating in the UK Expert Meeting. In addition, K. D. has on one occasion received an honorarium for a lecture on basic neuroscience given to Reckitt Benckiser Pharmaceuticals staff. M. F. has undertaken consultancy services for Lundbeck UK Ltd and Schering Plough and has received financial support from Reckitt Benckiser Pharmaceuticals to attend a conference. G. R. organises a quarterly GP educational forum, which is supported by Reckitt Benckiser Pharmaceuticals. F. A. has received support to attend conferences and performed paid consultancy work for Reckitt Benckiser Pharmaceuticals. A. D., A. G., F. A. and T. H. have nothing to disclose. Financial support for the UK Expert Meeting and medical writing of this article was provided by Reckitt Benckiser Pharmaceuticals.