More treatment available for drug and alcohol dependency thanks to funding boost

More than £1 million is being invested by the Isle of Wight Council into projects to help people dependent on alcohol and drugs to access much-needed support.

The extra funding is part of the government's 'From harm to hope' national drugs strategy that aims to reduce drug-related death and harm, increase the number of people accessing treatment and improve outcomes for local people.

The investment, which also includes additional funding from the Rough Sleepers Initiative (RSI), will be made available over the next three years to increase the quality and capacity of existing substance misuse services on the Island.

Councillor Karl Love, Cabinet member for Public Health, said: "The impact of drug and alcohol dependency on individuals, their families, as well as the wider community, can be devastating.

"Substance misuse - including alcohol misuse - affects the lives, health and relationships of many communities and families.

"This added investment is a real boost for our local substance misuse services and recognition of the invaluable work they do to support people, often with complex needs, on the road to recovery.”

The funding will be used to:

• inspire and encourage people to engage with additional routes to recovery;
• increase the capacity and quality of the council's locally commissioned substance misuse services;
• improve the continuity of care from prison to community substance misuse treatment and those in the criminal justice system needing treatment or support for their drug/alcohol use;
• increase the capacity of important residential rehabilitation provision;
• ensure continued capacity for people who need support with their housing, substance misuse and mental ill-health.

Councillor Love said: “It is important to remember that substance dependency can affect anyone and can have many cruel effects.

"It's also important for us to recognise the invaluable work of the health and social care system, with support from the voluntary sector and organisations such as Alcoholics Anonymous, the Samaritans and, of course, loved ones and carers.

"Dependency changes lives and we can all help support people as they work towards recovery."

On the Island, there is an increasing rate of hospital admissions due to alcohol-related conditions and deaths from drug misuse remain above the national and south-east average. 

As a former youth worker specialising in drugs and alcohol education, Councillor Love said thrill-seeking and experimentation posed the greatest risk to young people.

"I have no doubt that cannabis use has increased among young people," he said.

"Cannabis is often a gateway drug that can start people on a dependency route. Happy, healthy, supported young people who engage in activities are less likely to experiment with illegal drug use or overcome its tendency to lead onto other substance misuse.

"This additional investment will allow more people to get the vital support they need.”