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At Turning Point, we’re proud to stand alongside Collective Voice, the national alliance bringing together providers committed to delivering high‑quality, person‑centred drug and alcohol treatment across England.
Their work is vital and their message to Government is clear: we need bold, coordinated action now to reduce harm, strengthen recovery systems, and prevent more families and communities from being affected by drug- and alcohol-related deaths. An effective treatment and recovery system as an important ingredient in delivering the Government’s missions on the economy, on the health service and on safer streets.
In his latest call to action, Collective Voice Chief Executive Will Haydock outlines five essential policy steps the Government must take to turn hope into delivery. As a sector partner committed to saving lives every day, Turning Point wholeheartedly supports these recommendations.
1. Publish a clear Government position statement on drug and alcohol treatment
Collective Voice is calling for a public, strategic statement from Government to reaffirm its commitment to reducing drug and alcohol harms and improving access to effective treatment. A clear position would send a powerful signal that tackling addiction is a national priority backed by long‑term intent.
2. Restore a five‑year programme of ring-fenced funding
Dame Carol Black’s independent review recommended sustained, ring‑fenced funding to reverse years of disinvestment. Collective Voice stresses that reinstating this five‑year programme is essential for rebuilding stability, improving outcomes, and supporting the workforce that delivers life‑saving services every day.
3. Ensure residential treatment is accessible everywhere - ending the postcode lottery
Right now, access to residential treatment varies widely depending on where someone lives. Collective Voice is urging Government to guarantee that residential options are available in every part of the country so that people can receive the level of support they need, when they need it, no matter their postcode.
4. Develop a fully resourced plan to deliver justice system reforms
A series of national reports, acknowledged by Ministers, have found that the criminal justice system is in crisis. Collective Voice highlights the need for a properly funded plan to deliver the recommendations of the former Justice Secretary David Gauke’s sentencing review, ensuring that people in the justice system can access the right treatment and pathways into recovery.
5. Commission prison substance use services directly with providers
To support safer transitions and better outcomes, Collective Voice is urging Government to commission prison substance use services directly with treatment providers and separately from other health services. This would help ensure continuity of care from prison into community or residential treatment settings, reducing relapse and risk at a critical time.
As Will Haydock has warned, the situation is urgent: England is facing the highest rates of drug‑related deaths ever recorded, and the arrival of synthetic opioids has created a new and dangerous landscape. By taking these five steps, Government can help stabilise the system, strengthen essential services, and save lives.
At Turning Point, we see every day how effective, compassionate support transforms lives. We also see the gaps, the places where people fall through cracks caused by funding pressures, inconsistent provision, or systems that don’t join up.
That’s why we fully support Collective Voice’s call for urgent, strategic action. These recommendations align with our own mission:
- to reduce harm
- widen access to timely, evidence‑based support
- ensure everyone can receive the level of care they need to make positive change.
We stand ready to work with Government, Collective Voice, and partners across the sector to make this happen.
Read the full Collective Voice blog