Since the national Drug Strategy “from harm to hope” was introduced four years ago, and with increased funding for the sector, Turning Point has made progress in engaging and supporting more people using substances.
The total number of people in treatment across our drug and alcohol services has risen by 5,383 – which marks a 20% increase in numbers in the three years since additional funding was introduced.
Treatment works and year on year we are seeing more individuals successfully completing a programme of support. Yet, success is dependent on timely access. Many people only reach services at a point of crisis. Much more work needs to be done to improve both the accessibility and visibility of community services so that support reaches people much earlier.
To this end, and in line with the 10-year plan’s commitment to shift services from treatment to prevention, our work to reduce the drug related harms continue to be a key priority for Turning Point. However, the Government’s continued investment is vital in ensuring the sector can deliver more support sooner.
The mortality rate from drug poisoning is the highest since records began in 1993. Harm reduction has long been a pillar of our strategy with a clear drive to continually develop and improve our offer. Turning Point has continued to prioritise making sure naloxone is available to anyone who needs to use this life saving medication. Our use of technology to increase access and reach more people has seen the implementation of innovative Click & Deliver services for naloxone and needle and syringe equipment. In 2024/5, over 12,456 kits naloxone were dispensed by our services.
This November, we hosted the 4th annual Safer Lives conference aimed at sharing ideas and best practice for harm reduction across the sector.
Over the past few years, we have also strengthened existing and formed new partnerships with Lived Experience Recovery Organisations (LERO) across the country. This paired with more investment in community and engagement roles, has allowed us to improve the accessibility of services for underserved communities.
This year we have scaled up action to prevent the spread of Blood Borne Viruses (BBVs), carrying out 11,405 Hepatitis C tests – a 59% increase on the previous year. Early intervention is crucial as, left untreated, Hepatitis C can lead to cirrhosis, liver failure or cancer.
Alcohol use is at the root of a significant number of health conditions, with liver disease alone having increased by 400% since the 1970s. Early intervention is crucial.
Investment in drug and alcohol services has enabled us to equip all our drug and alcohol services with FibroScan devices. This non-invasive liver assessment offers individuals a rapid evaluation of liver health, early access to treatment and, for some, the motivation needed to address problematic drinking. In 2024/5, our services performed a total 7,448 Fibroscans, representing a 297% increase on the previous year. Early identification of liver damage enables us to reach more people at an earlier stage, shown by a 28% increase across our services for those in treatment for alcohol-related harm over the past three years.
Our progress is reflected in meaningful advances across the sector. The Government recently released new data on the numbers receiving treatment for alcohol or drug use problems. The total number of adults in treatment is now 329,646, which is a 6% increase from last year and the highest figure recorded since tracking began. Together, we are making real change in both communities and people's lives across the country.
Such progress has only been possible thanks to a clear strategy and investment in treatment by Government. Unfortunately, this progress is now at risk. Although the Government has committed to setting out funding over 3 years, funding has been frozen.
Rises in reported harm from drugs and alcohol, along with shifts in the drug market, highlight the critical importance of ongoing work in this sector.
Emerging trends include the rise of synthetic opioids in the heroin supply and beyond, as well as significant increases in ketamine use among young people and young adults. This is reflected in services, with a 44% increase for people in treatment due to harms relating to non-opiate in treatment.
We all need to do more to reduce drug related harm, both within the sector, across health and social care, and beyond. Despite progress made since 2021, continued high levels of unmet need and new trends in drug-related harm points towards the fact so much more work lies ahead.
With clear links to prevention and a community-rooted vision for health and social care, drug and alcohol treatment providers play a crucial role in realising the ambitions of the Government’s 10-year health plan. We urge the Government to continue to invest within the sector, supporting communities and individuals across the country to reduce drug and alcohol related harm.