In a significant move to combat drug and alcohol misuse, the Department of Health and Social Care, under the guidance of Neil O’Brien MP, has announced the allocation of almost £267 million to local authorities across England. This funding, set to be rolled out in April 2024, aims to enhance drug and alcohol treatment and recovery services, contributing to the government’s 10-year drug strategy.
The funding will enable local authorities to recruit specialized staff to work with individuals facing drug and alcohol problems, support prison leavers in accessing treatment and recovery services, and help reduce crime by increasing the number of people receiving structured drug and alcohol treatment. This initiative is expected to improve the quality of treatment and subsequently make streets safer by reducing drug use addictions, which are known to drive offending.
