Rochdale MP Tony Lloyd calls for large, sustainable and sheltered investments in the addiction treatment system.
He claimed the Conservative Party had “an ambivalent attitude towards the needy”.
Mr Lloyd said, “Addiction needs to be considered just like any other health condition, but access to addiction treatment and recovery is a zip code lottery. That is just not acceptable.
“Abstinence-based treatment, inpatient treatment, family support, early intervention, and recovery services have suffered for over a decade.
“We have a pragmatic and moral interest in addressing the tragic effects of addiction on individuals, children, families and communities, and this must include appropriate investment in addiction treatment and recovery services.
“So I support the Independent Review of Drugs’ recommendation for an investment of £ 1.78 billion in these important services.
“For every £ 1 spent on addiction treatment, the Treasury will save at least £ 3 in crime, health and social expenses.
“For every £ 1 spent on family intervention services, the Treasury can save £ 2.76 in direct savings.
“Not only does this make fiscal sense, it can also save lives and break the cycle of intergenerational harm to children, reduce crime and balance our most deprived communities.”
Mr Lloyd is part of a bipartisan group of MPs and peers who, ahead of the spending review, are writing to Prime Minister Boris Johnson urging the government to follow through on all 32 recommendations published in Part Two of Dame Carol Black’s Independent Drugs Review.
In particular, the review calls for substantial, sustained and sheltered investments in the addiction treatment system over the next five years.
