Council gets £10m boost for drug and alcohol support

Lancashire County Council has been handed more than £10m by the government to prevent drug and alcohol-related deaths and help those with addiction issues.

The authority said the cash, which has been put together by consolidating other grants for services like recovery programs and housing schemes for vulnerable people, was one of the largest amounts allocated across England.

A council spokesperson said it would be used to pay for services like mental health support for those with substance abuse problems and drug education in schools.

County Councillor Daniel Matchett, who works as a mental health nurse, said the funding was welcome as he had seen the "devastation" caused by drugs first-hand.

Councillors have approved the allocation of the £10m grant by the Department of Health and Social Care.

It is aimed at funding improved treatment, cutting crime and preventing drug and alcohol-related deaths.

Matchett said: "It is a significant amount of funding.

"There is a real focus on improving the quality of treatment and making sure more people can access this, which will help prevent drug and alcohol-related deaths in the county."

Among the services that will be supported by the grant are addiction recovery help out-of-hours as well as additional weekend support, and inpatient detox placements.

It also includes funding for training to professionals in schools and improved support for those in the criminal justice system.

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