£100k hit to substance abuse services

SERVICES to tackle drug and alcohol misuse in Torbay are set to lose £100,000 of funding next year.

But councillors were told the savings could be made without a damaging effect on clients.

Liberal Democrat Swithin Long questioned whether the cuts would have a knock-on effect on children’s services.

Director of public health Dr Caroline Dimond said: “I think in this instance we are hoping we can do this without affecting not only the users of our services, but their families as well.”

The £100,000 savings will mean a 4% budget cut next year to £2.37 million.

The savings will be found by the service provider Torbay and South Devon NHS Trust, a report to Torbay Council’s priorities and resources review panel was told.

Councillors also heard there was a question mark over the future of a £60,000 grant from the Police and Crime Commissioner next year.

In Torbay, the community alcohol service is an open access service – people can be referred or self-refer for treatment.

The drug service is open access where people can visit the community team or are sent by the criminal justice system for treatment for drug use, including prescription drugs, illegal drugs including psychoactive substances such as Spice.