Drug use and mental health

This week's ABC Radio National Health Report includes a discussion with Professor Steve Allsop, Director of the National Drug Research Institute at Curtin University in Perth.

Professor Allsop has just launched a book he edited, "Drug Use and Mental Health", published by IP Communications. He says, "About 50% of the people who have mental health problems also have drug problems. It's a bit larger than that if people with drug problems also have mental health problems."

Treatment services for these people have been quite inadequate and there is a need to improve these services substantially. Allsop stresses the need for a more integrated approach to mental health and drug care, as well as the importance of the therapeutic relationship between patients and health care professionals.