answer text |
<p>Through the 2021 Drugs Strategy, we are making the largest ever single increase
in drug and alcohol treatment and recovery funding, with £780 million of additional
investment. Of this, £532 million is being invested to rebuild local authority commissioned
drugs and alcohol treatment services in England. This is in addition to the funding
invested through the Public Health Grant</p><p>By February 2024, the funding had enabled
an additional 9,878 people to benefit from treatment for alcohol problems, where alcohol
was their only substance misuse problem, and a further 6,258 people where, as well
as their alcohol problems, they were also being treated for problems associated with
non-opiate drug use.</p><p>Local authorities are responsible for understanding the
drug and alcohol treatment needs of their local communities, and planning and commissioning
services to meet that need, including ensuring women have good access to the most
effective treatment. The Department supports them in doing this, with data and guidance.</p><p>The
National Health Service’s piloting of early diagnosis and prevention through 19 community
diagnostic hubs reached over 7000 people in 2022/23, and is identifying undiagnosed
liver disease. The Community Liver Health Check pilot provides FibroScans in one-stop
community clinics, where patients also have other investigations as required.</p><p>Beyond
treatment and early diagnosis, we are committed to tackling alcohol harms, including
reducing consumption levels, and in 2023 the Government introduced reforms to alcohol
duty, meaning products are taxed directly in proportion to their alcohol content.</p>
|
|