Efforts to tackle drug and alcohol addiction in York have been backed following a rise in deaths nationally.
Funding for extra resources to prevent, treat and support the recovery from addiction have been approved for City of York Council’s drug and alcohol services.
Peter Roderick, the council’s public health lead, said further work in the criminal justice system and to tackle drug and alcohol use among young people was planned.
Cllr Lucy Steels-Walshaw, the council’s Labour public health spokesperson, said the move would support the safety and wellbeing of people in York.
It comes as the number of drug-related deaths has doubled nationally in the last decade, according a council report.
Data from the Office for National Statistics (ONS) showed there were 5,565 deaths due to drug poisoning registered in England and Wales in 2024.
The number of deaths due to drug poisoning nationally has risen every year since 2012.
There were 8,275 alcohol-related deaths recorded in the UK in 2023.
City of York Council is set to spend an extra £335,400 and £345,400 on its contract with service provider Change, Grow, Live in 2026/7 and 2027/8 respectively.
Following an executive decision on Tuesday, June 2, a further £300,000 could also potentially be spent in 2028/9 on the contract.
The extra funding is set to go towards help treat addiction among people in prisons and the probation services.
An addictions psychiatrist is also set to be funded and an extra worker hired to reduce case work loads.
Roles focused on reducing harm from blood borne viruses such as HIV spread by sharing syringes and on the effects of substance abuse among parents are also being funded.
Council Public Health Director Mr Roderick said York could be proud of work already underway to tackle addiction and reduce the harm to those affected and to wider society.
The official said: “A couple of roles will involve working with schools and in social care so when problems involving illicit substance or alcohol use emerge they can be dealt with very quickly so lives won’t be ruined.”
Health executive member Cllr Steels-Walshaw said the move was an investment in stability, dignity and opportunity.
“This is essential, these aren’t statistics they’re people in our communities.
“We know that substance use can be deeply connected with homelessness, mental health and poverty.”
Liberal Democrat opposition leader Cllr Nigel Ayre said they welcomed the additional funding and his party had long called for addiction to be treated as a public health issue.
The opposition leader said: “Drug and alcohol addiction destroys lives and places a huge burden on social care and the criminal justice system.
“We support evidence-based treatment and recovery because we know it changes lives and reduces pressure on public services.”
