Report highlights lack of services

Thousands of people who misuse alcohol are being denied the help
they need, Alcohol Concern has warned.

A report from the charity states that alcohol services are
“under-funded” and recommends a threefold increase in resources as
a starting point. The investment should target individuals as well
as developing a community approach to reducing alcohol
problems.

The report, the result of a nine-month project, states that there
is no reason to object to the development of joint drug and alcohol
agencies “providing care is taken to avoid alcohol being
overshadowed”.

It also says that the National Treatment Agency should take the
lead on workforce planning for the drug and alcohol sector.

Richard Phillips, Alcohol Concern’s director of policy, said that
there was “a worrying mismatch” between the demand for help and its
availability.

– Commission on the Future of Alcohol Services is available from www.alcoholconcern.org.uk