THURROCK’S Drug and Alcohol Action Team – DAAT – is the best in the country.
According to the latest data from the National Treatment Agency covering the 12 months up to December 2012, it is the most successful of all 149 similar organisations in the country.
Thurrock Council has worked closely with the Thurrock Open Access Substance Information Service (OASIS) and the Thurrock Community Drug and Alcohol Service (CDAS), to develop a focused, joined-up service that is even more flexible than it used to be.
The council has also helped develop peer mentoring and the sort of measures that support clients leaving treatment – including relapse prevention and drop-in sessions.
These schemes have helped see the number of successful completions in Thurrock increased by 11 per cent since 2010/11, compared with a national average of seven per cent.
The latest data shows that now 78 per cent of clients entering treatment here complete successfully, compared with the national average of less than half.
Additionally, the average time in treatment is half that of the national average of 2.9 years and most of those in treatment leave after about 12 weeks.
Cllr Angie Gaywood, Thurrock Council’s portfolio holder for public protection, said: “It is always difficult to maintain first place or pole position, but congratulations are due to the success in getting there in the first place.
“It is now for the rest of the country to catch up and match our performance in helping some of the most vulnerable people is our society.
“It’s good to know the evil that is drug and alcohol abuse is being tackled effectively here in Thurrock and that the DAAT’s clients receive timely and swift assistance allowing them to leave treatment quickly.”
Anyone in Thurrock seeking free help or information about drug or alcohol problems should ring 0800 633 5202
