Welsh Government to spend £50m on tackling drug and alcohol misuse in Wales.

More than £50m will be invested in programmes to tackle drug and alcohol misuse by the Welsh Government over the next year, Deputy Health Minister Vaughan Gething announced today.

• 467 alcohol-related deaths every year (2013 figure)
• 135 drug misuse deaths in 2013
• 34,100 individuals admitted to hospital with an alcohol related condition in 2012
• Alcohol and class A drug cost Wales £2bn a year in terms of its economic and social impact.
• Police forces in Wales recorded 11,766 drug offences last year

The Welsh Government will spend more than £22m on addressing priorities outlined in their 10-year strategy plan, Working Together to Reduce Harm, which is aimed at tackling the harms associated with the misuse of alcohol, drugs and other substances. 

[pullquote cite=”Vaughan Gething” type=”right”]

The misuse of drugs, alcohol or other substances is still one of the most devastating ways in which people can harm themselves, their families and the communities in which they live. We are determined to tackle it.[/pullquote]

Funding to support children and young people will be ring fenced, as well as residential rehabilitation and inpatient detoxification and counselling services.

More than £5m will be invested in capital projects to improve capacity, access to and the quality of treatment facilities across Wales through the creation of multi-agency bases, residential treatment and detoxification centres, increasing GP shared care participation, youth facilities, mobile outreach and day centres.

£2.2m will be invested in the All Wales Schools Liaison Core Programme, which educates children and young people about some of the dangers of substance misuse, anti-social behaviour and problems associated with personal safety. The programme was set up in 2004, recognising the role schools and education can play in tackling these problems.

£1m will be invested in a number of specific drug and alcohol initiatives, such as the bilingual helpline Dan 24/7 and the Welsh national database for substance misuse contracts. 

A further £17.134m has been ring-fenced in health boards’ budgets for substance misuse services.

Vaughan Gething said:

“The £50m we will invest in programmes to tackle drug and alcohol abuse over the next year demonstrates our clear commitment to reducing the harm caused by substance misuse.”

Commenting on the announcement, Alyn and Deeside AM Carl Sargeant said:

“I recognise that Alyn and Deeside has issues with drug and alcohol abuse as do many areas in Wales.This investment shows the Welsh Labour Government’s dedication to improving the health and wellbeing of its people and communities.I welcome the investment and am confident it will go a long way to helping many struggling with substance misuse onto the road to long-term recovery. This will have aknock-on positive effect on our communities, which can suffer because of drug and alcohol abuse.”