Developing a method for conducting needs assessments for drug treatment : a systems approach

The article reports on a method for analysing the extent of need for drug treatment in a local area, based on estimated prevalence of problem drug use and treatment uptake. The aim of the project was to develop a method that could be replicated in each commissioning area (referred to as Drug Action Teams) in England to assess treatment need among groups both in contact with and out of treatment. The sources of data used were derived from national monitoring systems for drug treatment and for drug interventions in the criminal justice system. These were utilised in three Drug Action Team areas (out of a total of 149), supplemented by group work with local service managers and staff from treatment providers, service commissioners and other key informants, supplemented by local data on prevalence or treatment patterns that were available. The resulting analysis led to two types of treatment maps: one an assessment of treatment uptake and the second, a visual representation of service configuration that assessed the flow of clients into and through the local drug treatment system. The method enables treatment need and availability to be systematically assessed in order to inform the treatment commissioning process.