Drug treatment to be improved in England’s most deprived areas

Communities in England most affected by drug related crime and addiction will receive over £300 million of additional funding over the next 3 years to strengthen treatment and recovery services.

Sajid Javid has today announced the first 50 local authorities across England to receive extra funding which will go towards improving access to drug and alcohol addiction treatment and increasing the capacity of services. He says this will help to reverse the upward trend in drug use by tackling this major driver of crime which disproportionately impacts the most vulnerable and poorest communities.

The first 50 local authorities receiving enhanced funding in the year 2022 to 2023.

This is part of the largest ever investment in drug treatment and recovery services announced in December, with £780 million over 3 years in addition to what is invested in drug and alcohol treatment from the public health grant – to help drug users access treatment and reduce crime within communities.

The government says it is a significant step towards meeting the ambitions in the strategy – to prevent nearly 1,000 drug-related deaths, deliver 54,500 new high-quality treatment places and prevent a quarter of a million crimes – and towards achieving Dame Carol Black’s vision for world-class drug treatment and recovery systems.

Health and social care secretary, Sajid Javid, said: “This is a significant step in our commitment to rebuild the drug treatment system, save lives and level up the country.

“We’re investing a record amount in treatment services and ensuring some of the most deprived areas in England are first in line for this funding, to support the most vulnerable by cutting drug use.

“Treatment is just one element of our far-reaching strategy to better rehabilitate drug users – whether it’s helping people get jobs, creating a stable home or cracking down on supply.”

The initial local authorities assessed as having the greatest need to combat illicit drugs and the misery they cause, include areas in County Durham, Leeds, Birmingham and Devon.

Responding to the announcement, Cllr Louise Gittins, vice-chair of the Local Government Association’s Community Wellbeing Board said: “This funding is an important step forward in helping to support councils in addressing drug dependency in their local communities and is something the LGA has long been calling for.

“People with drug and alcohol problems should be able to get the right support and treatment when they need it. For many problem users, their first experience of treatment is the catalyst for getting the help they need to address their physical and mental health problems.

“Councils want to see vulnerable people being given another chance to find work, rebuild relationships and find safe and secure accommodation and will work with partners to improve the life chances of those impacted by drug addiction.”