Number of drug and alcohol workers to increase in Wiltshire after £350,000 grant
They've got money to invest over the next three years
Wiltshire Council have agreed how they will spend the £350,000 of a government grant to tackle illicit drug use and support those affected by it.
The Supplementary Substance Misuse Treatment and Recovery Grant was given to them, and other local authorities, to improve treatment and recovery interventions.
Subject to approval from HM Treasury, the council has been awarded £351,756 for 2022/23, £360,000 in 2023/24, and £630,000 in 2024/25.
Wiltshire Council say that funding will be used on a number of things including the number of drug and alcohol workers and enhance outreach and engagement.
The money will also go towards:
• targeted services/provision for parents in need of treatment and support for children of drug and alcohol dependent parents and families
• additional young people’s treatment places
• increased residential rehabilitation placements, to ensure the option is available to everyone who would benefit
• enhanced partnership approaches with physical and mental health services, including the co-location of services and interventions
• development and expansion of a recovery community and peer support network
• training, education, and continuous professional development
Cllr Ian Blair-Pilling, Wiltshire Council Cabinet Member for Public Health, said:
“This is a significant amount of additional money to invest over the next three years, so we’ve been very diligent in our planning with key partners to ensure it supports the people who need it most and it makes a long-term difference to their lives. Drug addiction not only impacts the user but also their loved ones and society around them – it can have a truly devastating effect. This funding should help people on the right path to recovery and allow for interventions to be delivered in a much more effective and timely way.
“Prevention and early intervention are key guiding themes in our Business Plan. We are strongly committed to this in the long term.”