New £3.9m service for alcohol and drug abuse

The integrated substance misuse service, commissioned by North Yorkshire County Council, will be ran by two voluntary sector organisations, DISC and Lifeline Project, and simplifies a complex range of seriously previously provided by 11 different organisations.

The council’s executive member for public health, Coun Don Mackenzie said the service would be focused on helping and supporting people to recover from substance misuse and dependence.

He added: “This new service will be simpler for people to use and access and we believe that people who misuse drugs and alcohol deserve the very best evidenced based help available, and we are confident that the new integrated service will provide that.”

DISC has helped people deal with unemployment, poverty, crime, addiction, homelessness and family breakdown for over 25 years, and will deliver the treatment part of the new service.

Lifeline Project, which has 40 years experience, will deliver the recovery and mentoring side. Both will work with existing specialist organisations to deliver the service, which will have one point of contact.

The council said the two organisations bring a wealth of knowledge and expertise to help people successfully recover from substance misuse.

Last month ChildLine revealed the number of children contacting them because their parents were drinking too much or taking drugs more than doubled last year.

On average, 15 children worried about their parents’ abuse of drink or drugs contacted them each day last year.

Head of ChildLine, Sue Minto said parents may be using drink and drugs to blot out financial worries.