Lincolnshire is set to receive a significant boost in its fight against drug and alcohol misuse, with over £2 million from the government’s ten-year drug strategy budget.
This funding, part of a nearly £267 million national investment, aims to reduce drug use to a 30-year low and improve the quality and access of treatment services across England.
As part of the spend, Lincolnshire will receive £2,090,974 for 2024-25, and £121,398 for inpatient detox.
Lincolnshire County Council’s Public Health department said the latest government data from 2021/22 shows 3,250 people in treatment within the county, with significant numbers battling addictions to opiates, alcohol, and other substances.
A spokesman for the authority, which runs the We Are With You treatment service, said: “Lincolnshire is fully committed to improving our treatment services and this funding is helping to achieve that goal.
“We will continue to work with our substance misuse provider ‘With You’ and our key partners to use this funding to improve and enhance our treatment delivery across Lincolnshire.”
The funding will be used in partnership with local organisations to enhance treatment services, including criminal justice services, mental health liaison, and family support services.
Health Minister Neil O’Brien highlighted a critical link between drug addiction and crime.
He said: “We aim to raise the number of people getting drug and alcohol treatment to a record high by investing through the long term investment we’ve been making over the last three years.
“Today’s allocations will see £267 million go directly to local authorities and their partners to improve services, increase capacity and quality of treatment and recovery systems.”
This sentiment is echoed by professor Dame Carol Black, who said: “The end goal is to get many people into world-class recovery and treatment system, reduce drug use and drug related crime – and ultimately save lives,” she said.
