It is acknowledged that illicit drug use is responsible for harm, not only to the individual but also to the family and general population, with drug related activity causing widespread distress to others. A high proportion of acquisitive crime has been driven by the need to subsidise drug misuse, and criminality around drug distribution can have a damaging impact on communities, as drugs and supply structures provide momentum for crime and anti-social behaviour.
There is a substantial body of evidence, which shows that a choice of treatment intervention is effective in reducing the harm that substance users inflict on themselves and others.
The Kent Drug & Alcohol Action Team (KDAAT) is a multi-agency team, set up in 1995, responsible for the effective management and commissioning of drug related and treatment services throughout Kent.
The Medway Drug and Alcohol Action Team (DAAT) is the partnership responsible for the delivery of the government's strategy in Medway.
For the national ten-year drug strategy (2008-2018) and more information about drugs misuse and treatment go to:
The South East Public Health Observatory has produced a report ‘
Choosing health in the South East: problem drug use’ at:
