£800K FUNDING FOR DRUG & ALCOHOL SERVICES

£800K FUNDING FOR DRUG & ALCOHOL SERVICES

Press Release from Angela Constance MSP

for Immediate Release

£800K FUNDING FOR DRUG & ALCOHOL SERVICES

New Investment in Early Intervention and Family Support

West Lothian will benefit from nearly £800,000 of new investment to support people affected by drugs and alcohol including earlier intervention and better family support. 

This is part of a nationwide announcement by Almond Valley MSP, Angela Constance in her capacity as Minister for Drugs Policy.  A total of 77 initiatives the length and breadth of Scotland will benefit from £25 million over the next 5 years.  The Children and Family Fund and the Improvement Fund were established to provide direct financial support to front line services and third sector organisations.

West Lothian Drug and Alcohol Service (WLDAS) will receive nearly £500,000 to increase the capacity of services to improve support given at an earlier point to children, young people and their families to prevent problems from escalating.  WLDAS were also awarded almost £230,000 to deliver a Family Matters support service and Change Grow Live (GCL) were successful in obtaining nearly £70,000 to improve the arrest referral system.

Angela Constance MSP said

‘I am delighted that local services will benefit from an additional £800,000 from the national Improvement Fund and the Children and Family Fund that I established last year.

‘This funding will enable services to increase and improve support provided to those affected by drug and alcohol use including their families. 

‘A whole family approach is needed to ensure more people can access treatment and recovery that is right for them at an earlier stage.  Supporting family members in their own right is also important as for every single person struggling with drugs or alcohol there are, on average, 11 other people affected.   

‘This additional investment will help local services to work together and respond to problems earlier to prevent children, young people and their families from reaching the point of crisis.’

‘I also want to put on record my thanks and appreciation of WLDAS and GCL for all the work they do in West Lothian day in day out to reduce harm and support recovery.’

Notes

WLDAS £229,740 to deliver Family Matters support service for people and their families

WLDAS £496,508 to increase capacity of services in West Lothian to implement the Whole Family Approach by improving the offer to children, young people and families at an early intervention point to prevent issues from escalating

Change Grow Live £69,185 to recruit a full time Early Intervention Co-ordinator to improve the arrest referral service

SG press release - https://www.gov.scot/news/gbp-25-million-funding-for-drugs-services/ 

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