One fund created for agencies working with young drug misusers

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.