Thousands of Somerset residents will continue to receive crucial support for drug and alcohol addiction following a recent commitment to extend funding for front-line services until 2029.
Somerset Council funds the Somerset Drugs and Alcohol Service (SDAS), which currently supports approximately 5,000 individuals struggling with alcohol dependency and around 2,000 experiencing drug dependence, including on opioids and crack cocaine.
Despite facing a projected £73 million budget shortfall in the upcoming financial year—largely mitigated by council tax increases and ongoing exceptional financial support from central government—the Liberal Democrat administration approved on January 7 the continuation of funding for this essential service. The yearly cost for maintaining SDAS is up to £5.4 million.
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Since 2014, Turning Point, a national charity specializing in drug and alcohol addiction services, has managed SDAS. The council’s new contract with Turning Point will run through 2029, with the option to extend for an additional three years based on satisfactory performance, potentially bringing the contract’s total value beyond £32 million.
Councillor Graham Oakes, who oversees public health, climate change, and the environment, praised SDAS at the council’s executive meeting in Taunton, highlighting the life-saving impact of the service: “SDAS provides life-saving care to those affected by drugs and alcohol across Somerset. The government’s shift to a three-year funding model allows the operator to invest confidently and for us to commission with greater assurance, leading to continuous improvement.”
Oakes emphasized the broader significance of the service, noting its influence on individuals, families, and local businesses: “While the numbers may seem small relative to the overall population, the personal and community impact is profound. This service literally saves lives.”
Council leader Bill Revans echoed these sentiments, acknowledging the personal connection to addiction issues within his own family and emphasizing the preventative nature of the service: “This initiative not only positively affects lives but also helps reduce pressure on adult and children’s social care services by addressing addiction early.”
Councillor Wakefield, responsible for adult services, housing, and homelessness, expressed enthusiasm for the long-term funding deal and its potential to enhance collaboration between SDAS and the council’s housing team. Drawing on her prior professional experience with Turning Point, Wakefield stated: “The three-year funding is transformative, especially for planning care over extended periods. Working with housing on complex cases will bring significant benefits.”
Opposition councillors welcomed the contract extension but called for increased focus on young people, citing concerns about rising ketamine use. Councillor Mark Healey warned about ketamine’s dangers, emphasizing the drug’s impact on youth and its presence in schools. Alison Bell, interim director of public health, acknowledged these concerns and stressed the need for SDAS to reach all areas of Somerset, noting firsthand observations of ketamine’s effects.
Other councillors, including Tom Power and John Cook-Woodman, highlighted the importance of outreach beyond schools, advocating engagement with colleges, sixth forms, and community sports clubs as part of a comprehensive approach to youth addiction prevention.