The government should publish a position statement on drug and alcohol treatment services to reaffirm its commitment to reducing harms and maximising recovery, says Collective Voice.
The campaigning charity has outlined five key steps it wants to see from the government in relation to treatment and recovery services in England. Alongside a clear position statement, the government must restore the five-year programme of ring-fenced funding recommended by Dame Carol Black, and ensure that residential treatment is an accessible option in every part of the country – instead of the current ‘postcode lottery’.
The government also needs to develop a fully-resourced plan to deliver the recommendations of former justice secretary David Gauke’s sentencing review, it says, and make sure that prison substance use services are commissioned directly with the provider – and separately from other health services – to help ensure appropriate pathways are in place from prison to community and residential settings.
Action on drug- and alcohol-related harm is ‘urgently required’, the charity says, with ministers acknowledging that the current approach is unsustainable and a number of recent reports setting out that the criminal justice system is in crisis – ‘a diagnosis that has been accepted by government ministers’. Treatment and recovery support need to be ‘at the heart of the government’s thinking and action on criminal justice and health, as well as other areas of policy including education, employment, housing and beyond’, it says. ‘A strategy with clear priorities is needed to deliver change’.
‘The situation could not be more urgent,’ said chief executive Will Haydock. ‘We are seeing the highest rates of drug-related deaths ever recorded and the emergence of synthetic opioids in the UK has prompted the National Crime Agency to warn that “there has never been a more dangerous time to take drugs”. A strategy with clear priorities is needed to drive change. But over a year into the government’s tenure, there remains a lack of clarity in how their missions will be achieved, and the role of substance use treatment in achieving this. We need government to outline clear aims and priorities for our field, and offer political leadership to achieve these, ensuring relevant professionals and organisations focus on this life-changing work.’
Organisations had responded ‘promptly, effectively and efficiently’ to the Dame Carol Black review and the subsequent drug strategy, he continued, with more people in treatment and ‘vastly improved’ continuity of care between prison and community. ‘Where the previous government sought to move From harm to hope, the government must now progress from hope to delivery. The prime minister has talked about “delivery, delivery, delivery” and the government must honour this commitment. In terms of substance use treatment and recovery that means developing a plan to continue the work that the independent review set out as being so urgent back in 2021. Thankfully as a society we have the knowledge and skills to do this promptly and effectively in this field.’
The charity has also published a new guide for commissioners and providers on improving access and outcomes in residential treatment, as well as a set of ‘myth-busting’ resources to address perceptions that residential is a ‘last resort’ or only for people who can afford to pay for it themselves.
Residential rehabilitation is evidence based and cost effective and should be an integral part of the menu of options available, the charity states. However too few people are able to access it, and the current approach to funding, commissioning and referrals has put its long-term sustainability at risk.
‘Systems should understand and appreciate local rehabs as assets,’ said chief executive Will Haydock. ‘In practice this means, for example, that staff in commissioning teams and community providers should visit residential services – and vice versa. When we spend time with staff and listen to people who have accessed rehab, not only will challenges become clear, but also the solutions and indeed further opportunities to improve our support offer.
‘Collectively, we need to view residential rehab less in terms of a negotiated business transaction for a placement, and more as a key treatment option and opportunity within a wider commitment to provide high-quality care and support,’ he continued. ‘This commitment to care is how we will save and improve more lives.’
From hope to delivery: Five essential next steps for government action on alcohol and other drugs available here
Residential rehab resources available here