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About Substance Misuse

Tackling substance misuse problems in Wales is a priority for the Welsh Government. It is a complex issue that involves a wide range of professionals and specialists services, both statutory and non-statutory. An excellent example of joint working between the Welsh Government, NHS Wales and Treatment Service Providers throughout Wales has enabled progress to be made in this area through the establishment of an All Wales Substance Misuse Database.

Robust data is crucial to help plan for the future and help us all to make better informed decisions about the planning and prioritising of treatment services. The All-Wales data collection system is a key stage in the development of a management information system that will provide strategic and operational information on the nature and extent of substance misuse across Wales and the effectiveness of different treatment services.

The Welsh National Database for Substance Misuse was established on 1 April 2005 using a common data set and standard data definitions which have been implemented as a result of the Welsh Government and Digital Health & Care Wales (DHCW) working closely with Treatment Service Providers throughout Wales.  The common data set and data definitions were updated as part of a wider review in April 2014.

The Welsh National Database for Substance Misuse provides data on people referred for treatment for a substance misuse problem. The information covers services provided by the majority of organisations that are funded by the Welsh Government. The Database provides the information needed to monitor achievements against Key Performance Indicators.