Recommendation 15

Successful recovery from addiction to illegal drugs, such as opiates, is difficult, with high levels of recidivism.45 In its recent report, the Home Affairs Committee highlighted the efficacy of specialist programmes—such as diamorphine assisted treatment—in helping those with a long history of addiction and poor treatment outcomes.46 We heard from Dame Carol and Ms Wiseman that there was a case for the provision of this specialist treatment service, which would likely reduce opiate-related deaths. However, they told us that as the treatment was some 15 times more expensive than standard treatments, it was not something that could be funded locally and this would need to be provided at a national level.47 44 Q 8 45 An evidence review of the outcomes that can be expected of drug misuse treatment in England (publishing. service.gov.uk) Figure 48 46 Home Affairs Committee, Drugs, Third Report of Session 2022–23, 12 July 2023, para 172 47 Q 11 Reducing the harm from illegal drugs 13 2 Developing a long-term approach Local variations in funding, approaches and outcomes