Population estimates of problematic drug users in England who access DWP benefits: A feasibility study
Working Paper No. 46
by Gordon Hay and Linda Bauld
It is estimated that there are approximately 330,000 adults in England who use drugs such as heroin or crack cocaine. Studies often highlight that the majority of users are not in employment and derive most of their income from state benefits. However, estimates of the nature or extent of this type of problem drug use amongst the population who are in receipt of Department for Work and Pensions benefits were in need of revision to take into account new work carried out by the Home Office.
This study was set up to examine the feasibility of using certain innovative techniques to provide estimates of the number of problem drug users accessing DWP benefits. The main results of the study show the number of opiate and/or crack cocaine users accessing benefits in 2006, and these estimates are presented by type of benefit, including Jobseeker's Allowance, Income Support and Incapacity Benefit.
July 2008
ISBN 978 1 84712 328 2
