Change Grow Live backs NAO report

The headline facts presented in today’s report speak for themselves, people and communities are suffering, and whilst we have made some progress with achieving the ambition of the national drug strategy, there is still more to do.

We need to create lasting change and welcome the NAO’s call for a long-term implementation plan. Sustained, long term funding and commitment is critical. We have made a start, but the issues the sector faces run deep and cannot be solved overnight or in isolation. Local partnership collaboration is key, only by working together can we address the root causes of suffering and ensure that support is accessible and attractive.

Now is the moment to press forward and address the fundamental challenges drug treatment services have faced for the past decade. We back the NAO’s call for:

• A long-term evaluation plan, that takes account of service quality, local innovation and meaningful recovery. Measuring the things that demonstrate the overall impact of services, without creating perverse incentives.
• An end to the funding delays experienced in 22-23, and 23-24, which will ease the pressure on already strained local authorities and services, and give the time needed to plan quality service delivery and recruit new staff.
• A new, long term implementation plan for the drug strategy, with indicative future funding agreed between departments and the Treasury, enabling sector organisations to agree on the range and nature of services needed over the next 10 years.

The sector is committed to the ambitions of the drug strategy, acting on these recommendations will help us deliver them, and allow services to focus on high quality treatment and sustainable recovery for the people who need.

This blog was originally published by Change Grow Live. You can read the original post here.