More than half a million pounds has been awarded to eight projects working to deliver more support to people living with drug addiction.
Each of the eight projects will use their share of the £514,000 of investment to increase staffing levels in their work with people with multiple complex needs.
In Forth Valley, the Change Grow Live charity is partnering with the Falkirk Alcohol and Drug Partnership to develop a ‘one-stop’ Community Recovery Hub where individuals can access support.
The charity has been awarded £48,704 for an Advanced Nurse Practitioner who will help people access the care they need, including mental health, physical health and drug services.
The funding is being distributed by the Drug Deaths Taskforce.
Minister for Drugs Policy Angela Constance said:
“We know we must ensure fast and appropriate access to the treatment which is right for each individual and we recognise services must support those living with drug addiction by addressing all of the underlying challenges they face – drug addiction is often just the symptom.
“This funding from the Drug Deaths Taskforce Innovation and Development Fund is designed to help frontline, third sector and community organisations to test innovative ways of reducing drug related deaths. This work is vital to ensure that services offer the type of wrap-around care many people need.
“I have said a national mission is needed to tackle the drug deaths emergency Scotland faces. We have already allocated £5 million before the end of this financial year and £250 million over the next five years. This will ensure immediate action on getting people into treatment and making it easier for them to access both community services and residential rehabilitation.”
Drug Deaths Taskforce Chair Professor Catriona Matheson said:
“The Taskforce is committed to putting evidence into action to save lives.
“The rapid funding of these research projects highlights the pace at which this is happening. The focus of the initiatives confirmed so far – on emergency response to prevent fatal overdose and maximising the range and choice of available pathways for people at risk and with multiple complex needs – will both immediately inform future strategy and help prevent deaths as the projects run.”
Chair of Falkirk Alcohol and Drug Partnership Martin Thom said:
“We welcome the funding from the Drug Death Task Force to pilot the development of new Community Recovery Hubs, across Forth Valley. This will provide a ‘one stop’ approach to support local people who use drugs and alcohol. The hubs will provide greater flexibility and an opportunity for individuals to access a broad range of health and social care support alongside existing specialist support services. They will also bring services provided by health and social care, local councils and third sector organisations together under one roof in areas most in need of additional support.
“This approach will make it easier for local people to access a wide range of support when they need it and also help reduce pressure on busy health and care services during the ongoing pandemic. Most importantly, these new Recovery Hubs will help reduce the number of drug-related deaths and near fatal overdoses in the Forth Valley by providing quicker access to effective support and treatment.”
Source: Photo by Hennie Stander on Unsplash