The UK faces a critical turning point as experts urge the government to maintain sustainable funding for drug and alcohol treatment services, warning that disinvestment could undo years of progress in tackling addiction and safeguarding communities. The appeal comes amid growing concerns over emerging threats like synthetic substances, which have already contributed to an alarming rise in fatalities.

The Economic Case for Supporting Treatment Services

Every pound invested in these services delivers extraordinary returns, from saving lives and reducing crime to easing NHS pressures and breaking cycles of disadvantage. Recent figures reveal that harm from illicit drug use costs England an estimated £19.3 billion annually. However, adult drug treatment generates a short-term return of £4 for every £1 invested, rising to as much as £21 over 10 years. This highlights the economic efficiency of funding substance misuse support.

Beyond financial benefits, drug and alcohol treatment services help individuals reclaim stability and opportunity. With comprehensive care and support, 52% of service users who accessed Individual Placement and Support secured employment within 18 months, compared to just 16% before assistance. Young people, too, have experienced life-changing outcomes. Among those completing treatment with Change Grow Live, 85% reported no longer self-harming, while 53% reduced or ceased offending behaviours.

Protecting Communities and Public Services

Equally, such services are pivotal in keeping streets safer. Data shows a 33% reduction in offending among those who access treatment, easing the strain on Britain’s overburdened criminal justice system. Additionally, the strain on the NHS could also be mitigated. For example, opioid addiction accounts for 3.8 million preventable GP and hospital visits every year, costing the NHS £414 million. The wider impact of alcohol misuse amplifies this burden, with a staggering £4.91 billion attributed to healthcare costs annually.

However, emerging public health threats require vigilance. Synthetic opioids, detected in hundreds of drug samples in 2024, exemplify the new risks. Experts caution that disinvestment at this time could reverse significant progress and jeopardise national safety, costing more in the long term than any perceived short-term savings.

The case is clear. Continued funding for substance misuse support is essential to avoid a resurgence of dependency issues, escalating crime rates, and overwhelmed public services. The UK must take action now to safeguard the advancements already achieved, prioritising lasting solutions that benefit both individuals and society.

Source: DB Recovery Resources.