Health Minister Edwina Hart has officially opened a new centre to improve access to advice and support on alcohol and drug misuse in Llanelli.
Almost £700,000 is being invested by the Welsh Assembly Government in the Old Parish Hall Substance Misuse Centre to provide education, treatment and group support to people needing help to come off their addiction to alcohol or substance misuse.
The centre will also provide support to help people recovering from substance misuse back to into work.
It will work with local GPs, community pharmacies and Job Centre Plus.
Mrs Hart said:
“Alcohol and substance misuse has a devastating impact of individuals, families and society. I am determined we do all we can to reduce this.
“We are investing in prevention and education to stop people becoming hooked on alcohol or drugs in the first place, but are also investing in treatment and rehabilitation for those who are addicted.
“This development in Llanelli will help to improve access to these services and will hopefully reduce the dependence many people have on alcohol and substance misuse.
“Our 10-year substance misuse strategy Working Together to Reduce Harm aims to work with partner organisations to reduce the damage caused. This involves encouraging partner organisations to enforce current legislation.
“While it is the responsibility of the UK Government and the police to enforce the law on illegal drugs, an extra £5.9m is being added to the Substance Misuse Action Fund this year. This brings the total budget supporting the substance misuse strategy to £52.6m this year.
“In relation to alcohol, the main levers to make the most significant change remain with the UK Government through the power to legislate on price, licensing and advertising.
“I will work with the UK Government on this but if it does not take action soon, I will seek the powers to act ourselves.”
The Assembly Government has this week published two guidance documents to co-ordinate and strengthen service planning and drive improvements in the accessibility, quality and consistency of substance misuse services across Wales.
