Plans to merge Coventry and Warks alcohol and drugs services

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It’s hoped over 1,000 extra drug and alcohol addicts will get the support they need with the joining together of services in Coventry and Warwickshire.



Local councils and the NHS have now started looking for a company who could take on the £8 million project, which should hopefully be up and running by December.

At the moment there are individual contracts for alcohol, drug and criminal justice services in each area.

Councillor Phil Townshend, Coventry cabinet member for Corporate and Neighbourhood Services said:

“Alcohol and drug misuse blights the lives of individuals, families and whole communities. Effective treatment – alongside policing, licensing and prevention- is crucial to making everyone healthier and safer.”

“In recent years we have successfully got more drug users in treatment which has improved health and cut crime.”

“The tendering process intends to produce enhanced, continuous service provision and develop a treatment system which is focused on recovery, underpinned by harm reduction.”

The project will help both councils save money, Councillor Townshend denied that was the priority:

“We’ll treat as many as 2,800 with alcohol problems, about 1000 more people, and it will also treat around 2,500 people with drug-reolated problems.”

“We’re looking for better outcomes on a more cost-effective basis.”