Positive systemic change for treatment services
It’s hard not to title a blog about Dame Carol Black’s independent review for government that sets out a way forward on drug treatment and recovery ‘Back to the Future’, but it has to be good news and is of critical importance to the sector.
The idea that we can only solve these problems by a whole system, multi-agency approach with government departments working together to invest in and improve treatment, employment, criminal justice outcomes and housing support is not a new one. Pooled treatment budgets and ring-fenced funding based on locally-led needs assessments don’t seem like bad ideas on reflection.
No surprise the report found that funding for treatment fell by 17% overall between 2014/15 and 2018/19 for adults and 28% for young people, sadly often tomorrow’s adult service users. Most importantly, recognition that the system isn’t working provides an opportunity for positive systemic change.
Emerging Futures have been big subscribers to the ‘Jobs, Friends, Homes’ messaging so an increased focus on housing support is welcome. We’ve benefitted significantly from the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government investment during Covid to further expand our harm reduction-focused housing model: but that funding will need to be sustained to keep more service users safe and, in a position, to make changes. Our message to local authorities has always been that to rebuild communities and places, you need to rebuild people.
Rebuilding communities through shared experiences
Recognition that peer-led, grassroots recovery communities and peer mentoring are a vital component of any treatment system is more than welcome. For an organisation like Emerging Futures, where 85% of its 150-strong workforce have a personal lived experience, it is music to our ears.
Many of our staff have transitioned through our housing and behaviour change programmes to become the senior managers of the future. We know that with appropriate support and striking the right balance between passion and ensuring staff have the required skills and capabilities, the vast majority of people with substance dependence can return to work and meaningful activity.
The future of treatment services
Rebuilding local, integrated care systems where our service users can benefit from the promised investment in mental health services (£2.3 billion per year), for example, and be supported more fully on release from prison with access to primary care and harm reduction interventions must be a good thing.
System change requires buy in from all agencies, well-coordinated delivery and sound political drivers locally. That may be a big ask as local authorities and the NHS reel from the impact and costs associated with Covid. Fortunately treatment services will do what they have always done – keep individuals safe, innovate and create opportunities for change.
