Funding given to drug services

An extra £95.2 million of funding has been given to drug services today, the public health minister Caroline Flint announced.

Drug Action Teams will be provided with £394.6 million – an increase of over 30 per cent from last year. The money will be used to invest in the day-to-day running of services, build and refurbish premises.

“For every £1.00 spent on drug treatment, at least £9.50 is saved in crime and health costs. That is why this extra funding is great news for the NHS and the general public, as well as for users of drug treatment services,” said Flint.

The aim of the funding is to get more people into treatment. DATs will also be in a position to bid for a portion of a further £54.9 million for the development of inpatient and residential rehabilitation services.

Flint said that while access to drug services had been widened, there was a need to concentrate on improving the effectiveness of drug treatment.