Warwickshire News Mine

This signifies a shift from individual contracts for drug, alcohol and criminal justice services previously offered in each area into more integrated treatment for the service user.

It is hoped that the new single treatment system will improve the support available for service users, offer more recovery-based support and ensure that services offer value for money.

It is expected that the tendering process will result in a significant change in provision, with service users offered a greater range of treatment options than at present. Harm reduction, prescribing and detoxification services will continue to be delivered for service users for whom this is required.

Focus groups and research have taken place in recent months to help understand what support existing and potential service users need, and the greater emphasis on recovery reflects the wishes of many existing or potential service users.

Warwickshire County Councillor Richard Hobbs, Portfolio Holder for Community Protection, said: “This approach provides an opportunity to offer more flexible services to more people across Coventry and Warwickshire. It should reduce costs, protect front-line delivery, offer consistency of provision, and improve access to services by removing the geographic barriers between the two areas.

“By re-tendering drug services jointly with alcohol services we also hope that more help will be available for individuals addicted to both substances.”

Cllr Phil Townshend, Cabinet Member (Corporate and Neighbourhood Services) Coventry City Council, said: “Alcohol and drug misuse blights the lives of individuals, families and whole communities. Effective treatment – alongside policing, licensing and prevention – is crucial to making everyone healthier and safer.

In recent years we have successfully got more drug users in treatment which has improved health and cut crime. The tendering process intends to produce enhanced, continuous service provision and develop a treatment system which is focused on recovery, underpinned by harm reduction.”

The contract is worth approximately £8m per year which will be funded by both local authorities with significant contributions from NHS Coventry and Warwickshire, West Midlands Police, National Treatment Agency (NTA) / Department of Health, and the Home Office.

At the same time Warwickshire County Council will also be tendering for a young persons targeted and specialist substance misuse service for Warwickshire residents using this single service model.

Link to WCC