Drug Treatment Funding Boosted Again

Funding for drug treatment services is set to increase as the Government looks to build on the progress made in getting people into treatment over the last few years.

Public Health Minister, Caroline Flint, announced the Pooled Drug Treatment Budget is to increase from £375m to £388m for 2007/8. In addition, £10m capital funding will also be distributed.

Caroline Flint said:

"Significant progress is being made on getting drug misusers into treatment. Record levels of investment have delivered record numbers entering and staying in drug treatment services.

"For every £1 spent on treatment, at least £9.50 is saved in crime and health costs. This funding will help to provide a life away from drugs for the user and a new future for families, friends and communities affected by the impact of drug addiction.

"But there is always room for improvement. Having succeeded in widening access to services we will continue to focus on improving the effectiveness of drug treatment.

Today's announcement demonstrates drug treatment remains a key priority for funding for Government."

In order to tackle variations in the amount of funding per head that have been identified, those Drug Action Teams who were receiving the least money per person treated will see an increase in their funding.

Alison Comley, Head of Community Safety & Drugs Strategy, Safer Bristol Drug Action Team said:

"Bristol is delighted to be receiving £1.3m extra from central government to fund drug treatment in the city next year. Without this significant growth in funding we would not be able to continue to increase the numbers of drug misusers accessing treatment and the quality of treatment they receive.

"This will also mean increases in the number of offenders entering treatment each week. This is already making a measurable impact on reducing crime."

The Audit Commission said:

“The Audit Commission has been working with the National Treatment Agency to assist local areas to benchmark their unit costs and enable them to start discussions where these appear above or below the regional and/or national average. Initial reports have already been given to each Drug Action Team area, which will be followed in March by the release of a database tool which will further assist this process”.