Knowsley’s Health and Wellbeing Board formally endorsed a new four-year plan for tackling the harms created through drug and alcohol abuse at a meeting on 27 January.
The Drug and Alcohol Programme Plan (2025-2029) was presented by Knowsley Combating Drugs Partnership (CDP) and outlines how partners will work to develop and implement a place-based approach to tackling drug and alcohol abuse and supporting those in recovery.
Building on successful outcomes
The new plan follows the success of the 2022–25 programme, which saw significant improvements in access to treatment and recovery outcomes:
- The number of adults accessing drug and alcohol treatment increased by 52%, from 1,022 to 1,552
- Young people receiving support rose by 163%, from 43 to 113
- 80% of people leaving prison with treatment are accessing support in the community within three weeks
- 90% of service users were retained in treatment at 12 weeks or successfully completed treatment
- The number of services users in paid employment rose from 20% to 25%
Tackling alcohol-related harm
While the previous programme focused on drugs in line with national priorities, the new 2025–29 plan places greater emphasis on alcohol; recognising the levels of alcohol‑related harm and unmet need in the borough and the need to focus on retaining people in treatment, improving recovery outcomes, and reducing harm and deaths.
Four key priorities
The Combating Drugs Partnership has focused on four main priorities in the plan, while also responding to the rising use of ketamine.
- Improving access to treatment
- Protecting vulnerable residents and reducing harm
- Improving recovery outcomes
- Protecting Children and Young People
The programme will be monitored through an updated governance structure, with the Combating Drugs Partnership meeting quarterly and providing annual progress updates to the Health and Wellbeing Board.
The full report can be viewed online.