UK - New 10 year plan to reduce the harm caused by drugs and alcohol (Wales)

[Lunar Loops]

This from the Welsh Assembly site (article link):

New 10 year plan to reduce the harm caused by drugs and alcohol

Reducing the harm caused by alcohol, drugs and other substances is at the centre of a new ten year strategy launched today (Wednesday 1 October 2008) by the Minister for Social Justice and Local Government, Dr Brian Gibbons.
‘Working Together to Reduce Harm’ sets out how the Welsh Assembly Government and partner organisations will work to reduce the damage caused to individuals, their families and society from substance misuse.

Speaking at the launch of the strategy at the West Glamorgan Council on Alcohol and Drug Abuse in Swansea, Dr Gibbons said:

The misuse of drugs, alcohol or other substances is still one of the most devastating ways in which individuals can harm themselves, their families and the communities they live in.
This strategy sets out a clear agenda for the next ten years. It is a route map for all agencies in Wales to work together to make a real difference to reduce harm and to improve lives.

The strategy aims to educate and prevent substance misuse, improve services for substance misusers, support and protect families and tackle the availability of illicit drugs and the inappropriate availability of alcohol.

The strategy addresses all types of substances, including illegal drugs, over the counter medicines, prescription only medicines and volatile substances such as glue and aerosols but places greatest emphasis on the problems caused by the inappropriate or risky use of alcohol.
The Minister said:

The harmful use of alcohol in Wales is far more widespread than that of illicit drugs or other substances. Most people drink sensibly, but a substantial minority drink too much, too often. This blights our streets through alcohol related crime and disorder and damages the long term health of individuals.
The Assembly Government will press for stricter rules on the promotion of alcohol, an increase in taxation, minimum pricing and a reduction in the drink-drive limit.

The strategy will backed by an extra £9.6 million in the Substance Misuse Action Fund over the next three years taking the total amount of funding to over £27 million per annum by 2010-11. There will also be a further £11 million a year for local health boards to tackle substance misuse.

The Minister also announced that in addition to the extra £1million already added to the £36 million of funding for this year, a further £1 million is available this year for residential and in-patient services.

Minister for Health and Social Services, Edwina Hart said:

The Assembly Government’s substance misuse strategy has significant implications for the health and social care agenda.
Drug and alcohol abuse affects the health and well-being of individuals, their families and the general community. It can result in enormous distress to individuals and their families as well as being a huge cost to our health services and our social services. It is essential that the new unified health bodies, GPs and Local Authority Social Services Departments, ensure that they play their part in delivering this Strategy.