Minister for Health and Social Services, Vaughan Gething, has announced an extra £2.4m for tackling substance misuse in Wales.
This was published under the 2016 to 2021 administration of the Welsh Government
The money will go to the seven Area Planning Boards to deliver frontline services to support the Welsh Government’s objectives for tackling substance misuse in Wales. It will support the further development of these vital services and respond to the recent Healthcare Inspectorate Wales review.
Mr Gething said:
“I am pleased to be able to announce an extra £2.4m funding for the Area Planning Boards. This will help the boards deliver these important services and meet the ongoing challenge of substance misuse in Wales.
Alongside the introduction of legislation such as the Public Health (Minimum Price for Alcohol) (Wales) Act 2018, this additional funding underpins our firm and ongoing commitment to improving health outcomes and addressing the harms associated with alcohol and substance misuse in Wales.
Since the launch our substance misuse strategy in 2008 we have seen sustained improvements in waiting times for substance misuse services. However in recent years budgetary constraints have meant we’ve been unable to increase funding in this area so I am glad we are now able to back the boards with extra money to meet future challenges.
These include delivering more integrated services as set-out in our long-term plan for the NHS, A Healthier Wales and to respond to the recent Healthcare Inspectorate Wales review.”
The Welsh Government’s Substance Misuse Delivery Plan 2016-18 sets outs a range of actions to tackle substance misuse. In the New Year work will be undertaken to inform our future approach building on the evidence and successes to date.
The seven Substance Misuse Area Planning Boards (APBs) commission and deliver treatment services to support those who are dependent on a range of drugs, based on the identified need in their areas. The extra £2.4m will be allocated in the 2019-20 financial year budgets.