Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.Deaths from drug and alcohol misuse hit a record high following sharp cuts to treatment services across the country, it has been revealed.
An analysis by the House of Commons Library found that more than £100 million less was being spent per year on services between 2016-17 and 2019-20.
In a record high, more than 11,000 people died from drug and alcohol-related diseases in England and Wales in 2020.
In the years leading up to the peak, services were cut by 15 per cent, with sharper slashes to local council areas in particular.
The Commons Library figures show that just 10 councils have been able to find the cash to increase resources for drug and alcohol misuse.
Meanwhile, in four local authorities – South Tyneside, Wiltshire, Staffordshire, and Medway – cuts of more than 40 per cent were made to drug and alcohol misuse services.
“Years of Tory cuts to vital public health services have seen sickness increase and health inequalities widen,” said Jonathan Ashworth, Labour’s shadow health secretary.
“It’s unacceptable for public health services that tackle alcohol and drug addiction to be left so weakened because of deep cuts when we know that they can cause huge harm and death.
“We need a new settlement for public health services, a clear target to reduce inequalities and action to minimise harm and help prevent so many dying from addiction.”
In total, spending on services fell from £762m in 2016-17 to £690m in 2019-20.
Government figures show that in 2020 a record number of 7,423 people in England and Wales died from diseases that were a direct consequence of alcohol with a further 4,561 people dying from causes related to drug poisoning.
A government spokesperson said: “Any death due to substance misuse is a tragedy.
“We are investing £148m to tackle the root causes of drug misuse including £80m for treatment and recovery – the largest investment in the drug treatment system for 15 years – as well as tightening controls on dangerous substances and we will bring forward an ambitious drug strategy later this year.
“On top of that, we are backing local authorities, who know their communities best, with over £3.3bn in 2021-2022 to spend on public health services, including drug and alcohol treatment.”
Subscribe to Independent Premium to bookmark this article
Want to bookmark your favourite articles and stories to read or reference later? Start your Independent Premium subscription today.
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments