Issue - meetings

Report CS14072

The Executive had requested further information on substance misuse services to enable them to take a decision on whether to extend for one year three existing contracts with Crime Reduction initiatives (CRI) for an integrated drug and alcohol service. The report provided this information and also covered a proposal to extend the contract with KCA for an integrated drug and alcohol service for children and young people.

The Committee noted that this was a statutory function and the Council had a duty to pay for GP prescribing in this area. Services were paid for through the Public Health Grant - Public Health budgets were ring-fenced until 2015/16. Performance was monitored through Public Health England.

The report contained a summary table of the numbers of drug users effectively engaged in treatment in 2012/13. This was based on people who remained in treatment for three months or more, and the Chairman questioned whether this was a long enough period. Officers responded that many people would be in treatment for longer periods, and that the measure for successful treatment was based on remaining substance free six months after completion of treatment. 

A Member noted that there was no mention of the increasing numbers of older people drinking and the impact on their health. The data was not age specific, but officers acknowledged that there was evidence of older people drinking more. More information would be available shortly when the Joint Strategic Needs Assessment was published. 

RESOLVED that the Executive be recommended to extend the three existing contracts – Stabilisation and Assessment Services, Recovery Service and Intensive Prescribing Service – with CRI and the contract with KCA for the children and young people’s substance misuse service (BYPASS) in line with the Council’s Contract Procedure Rules for a period of one year from January to December 2015.