11 January 2008

More losers than winners in new drug treatment budget announcement

The National Treatment Agency has announced that the drug treatment budget for 2008/2009 will stay at 2007/2008 level of £398 million, with no increase in line with inflation. New funding arrangements, which see treatment funded according to the number of individuals in treatment, will see huge variations in funding between local areas.

Responding to the announcement, Shaun Huxley, Director of Operations for Addaction, said:

“Although we had been warned not to expect an increase in funding, the lack of any inflationary uplift in next years drug treatment budget is of real concern. In real terms this means funding for drug treatment will face an overall cut of 10 per cent over the next three years.

“There are more losers than winners under the new funding arrangements with London Boroughs particularly badly hit. As existing contracts have an inflationary increase built in, services in areas where funding has been cut will be under real pressure to meet the needs of drug users.”

“Every £1 spent on drug treatment saves society at least £9.50 in health and social costs, so this announcement is bad news not just for drug users, but the families and communities affected by drug addiction and the chaos it brings.”

ENDS

For further information please contact Clare McNeil on 0207 017 2866 or 07899 068151

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