Written question asked by Mohammad Sarwar (Independent Labour) on Thursday, 19 March 1998, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Thursday, 26 March 1998. It was answered by Henry McLeish (Labour) on Thursday, 26 March 1998 on behalf of the Scottish Office.

Scottish Office

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland, what measures are being taken to improve treatment for drug addicts in prisons in Scotland.

Answer: Mr. Sarwar: To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what measures are being taken to improve treatment for drug addicts in prisons in Scotland. [35899] Mr. McLeish: All prisons in Scotland have a range of support measures for drug abusing prisoners. These include new drug reduction units at Barlinnie and Shotts Prisons; new relapse prevention programmes to tackle the long term needs of reformed addicts; and clinical prescribing to alleviate the symptoms of opiate withdrawal. The approach is multi-disciplinary and evidence based, and involves collaborative work with external agencies, to ensure so far as possible that the range of support measures inside prison reflects those available in the community and that there is adequate throughcare.

Secondary information