Government departments have pooled their budgets to create a £50 million single pot fund for young people with drug problems, writes Clare Jerrom.

The money from the Home Office, Department of Health, Department for Education and Skills and the Youth Justice Board, has been merged into one fund and drug action teams (DATs) can spend it specifically on under 19s.

The cash is designed to fund substance misuse work including education, early intervention and faster access to treatment.

“Drug action teams will now be able to apply for one grant, rather than six or seven, to fund all their young people’s treatment needs – something which the DATs themselves asked us to change,” said Caroline Flint.

Flint, who also has responsibility in the home office for reducing bureaucracy, told delegates at Drugscope’s third national young people and substance misuse conference in Leeds, that the move would “cut bureaucracy and make sure young people get the help they need more quickly and effectively”.

The £50 million forms part of the £155 million fund available this year for tackling young people’s substance misuse.