Drug Treatment Survey

Key facts

Survey coverage: England
Set Sample size: 1,087 (Wave 1), 981 (Wave 2), 826 (Wave 3), 712 (Wave 4)
Response Rate: 71% (Wave 1), 71% (Wave 2), 70% (Wave 3)

Why is the survey being carried out?

The National Addiction Centre at the Institute of Psychiatry asked Social Survey Division (SSD) to carry out the follow-up interviews for the National Treatment Outcome Research Study.

This project looks at the effectiveness of four different types of treatment for drug addiction.

How is the survey done?

Respondents were recruited to the survey between February and July 1995 from people who attended drug treatment centres in England.

The survey consists of several waves of interviews:

• Wave 1 - interviews conducted 1-2 months after respondents had left treatment;
• Wave 2 - interviews took place in 1996-7
• Wave 3 - interviews took place in 1997-8
• Wave 4 - interviews in progress

Interviewers have developed considerable skill in 'tracking' respondents many of whom do not have a settled address but move between a number of temporary abodes.

Response to the survey

• Wave 1 - set sample was 1087 respondents and a 71% response rate was achieved;
• Wave 2 - 981 respondents were followed up and a 71% response rate was achieved;
• Wave 3 - 826 respondents were followed up and a response rate of 70% was achieved; and
• Wave 4 - 712 respondents are currently being followed up.

Where can the results be found?

Waves 1 and 2 results have been published by the Institute of Psychiatry and the Department of Health.

More information about the Drug Treatment Survey is available at http://www.ntors.org.uk

For more information about SSD or the surveys we carry out contact:
SSD Project Support Branch Tel: +44 (0)20 7533 5500 or e-mail: ssdpsb@ons.gov.uk

This page last revised: Monday, 29 October 2001