APCC Lead Responds to Government Funding Announcement on Drugs
APCC Alcohol and Substance Misuse lead PCC Hardyal Dhindsa has welcomed the Government’s renewed focus on disrupting drug supply chains, and at the same time called for more long-term funds to protect vulnerable people.
Mr Dhindsa said: “Police and Crime Commissioners are committed to tackling substance misuse as demonstrated by the priorities we set locally and the funding we deliver to support vulnerable people with complex needs.
“The Government’s £28m investment in the pilot Project ADDER (Addiction, Diversion, Disruption, Enforcement and Recovery) intends to deliver a broad approach ensuring people suffering with a range of dependencies and complex needs receive the right support and treatment. This is an approach I have championed for some time now.
"However, limiting this pilot to a handful of areas and not committing sustainable funding represents a missed opportunity to protect more communities and divert vulnerable people into treatment. Furthermore, I believe wider roll-out of the approach would prevent more crimes, resulting in fewer victims and help reduce the significant backlogs experienced in our court system during the pandemic.
“As APCC lead, I look forward to working with the Home Office and partners on the pilot and hopefully broadening this approach.”