Dudley Council’s cabinet member for public health has welcomed £740k of government funding to help people with drug and alcohol addiction in Dudley borough.

The 12-month pot of funding is part of a three-year central government programme, designed to help local authorities improve their drug and alcohol treatment and recovery systems.

It complements Dudley public health’s existing £4m annual budget for these services, which is ringfenced and coordinates a wide range of support and treatments including medical and psychological support, detoxification and residential rehabilitation services and support to offenders who misuse substances.

The funding, which will see an additional £1.2 million of funding in the following financial year, is being used to increase the capacity and quality of services, which includes recruiting and training specialist health workers in the borough. Councillor Ian Bevan, cabinet member for public health, said:

"The reality is that alcohol and drug addiction can affect people of all ages and background, and we know there are many reasons why people can struggle to overcome such issues.

"Dudley’s public health service provides vital support and treatment for around 1,700 people with drug and alcohol addiction every year and we have seen an increase in the numbers coming forward for help since the Covid-19 pandemic.

"This government funding will enable us to offer more support for those who need it most."