THE recent finding in a National Addiction Centre and Mixmag survey of clubbers that regular users of the Drug Ecstasy are 25 per cent more likely to suffer a mental health disorder is a serious cause for concern.
Our own national survey of mental health in primary care found rapidly increasing numbers of people visiting GPs with not only mental health, but also drug and alcohol misuse problems.
At present, such people with complex needs face the danger of falling between two stools -- there are mental health services and drug services, but relatively few which deal with both problems.
If we don't get to grips very soon with the need for properly-funded services aimed at people with both mental health and drug problems, the situation, already bad, can only get even worse.
MARTIN BALL, Public Affairs Officer, Mental After Care Association, Bedford Square, London WC1.
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules hereComments are closed on this article