Government gives BCP Council £1.2 million to tackle drug misuse
The council says stable housing is the key to drug recovery treatment
BCP Council has been given £1.2 million to address drug recovery and treatment services in the area.
The council hopes to give “stable housing” to those in recovery from addiction as Cllr Jane Kelly, the portfolio holder for Communities, Health and Leisure, suggests: “There is a strong link between a stable home and improved drug and alcohol treatment outcomes.”
The money will fund several schemes such as recruiting specialist housing caseworkers to help people access treatment and maintain their tenancies as well as supporting individuals with health and social care issues linked to evictions.
Cllr Kelly said: “We know that housing is a key part of breaking the cycle of addiction so, if you've got somewhere stable that you can live then that is a major step forward.”
Last year, Public Health Dorset found that hospital admissions for drug misuse had increased by 24% in Bournemouth for those aged between 15 and 24 from 2014 to 2022. Cllr Kelly noted that drug misuse is still rife in the BCP area.
She said: People that are rough sleeping or sofa surfing are prone to all sorts of temptations. Their life is so difficult that you can understand why they might succumb to the temptation of getting back into drugs or alcohol.”
Ministers say the extra cash will prevent nearly 1,000 drug-related deaths, based on estimates from the Government's drugs strategy.
The Health Secretary, Steve Barclay said: "This funding will help us build a much improved treatment and recovery service which will continue to save lives, improve the health and wellbeing of people across the country.”
Director of Public Health for BCP Council, Sam Crowe welcomed the funding and added: “Dependence on drugs and alcohol has a huge knock-on effect on someone’s mental and physical health, their relationships and the wider community.”
Both Cllr Kelly and Dr Crowe emphasised a more holistic approach was needed to tackle drug and alcohol misuse with housing being the centrepiece of their conversation.
Cllr Kelly said: “Stable housing is the foundation to get over addiction, so it's really key in getting better outcomes for those people who are wanting to get rid of their addictions.”
The council will work with local organisations who help support those in recovery to continue to fund the “fabulous” work they do and ensure projects already taking place are “sustainable.”