Pubdate: Sat, 29 Dec 2012
Source: Yorkshire Post (UK)
Copyright: 2012 Johnston Press New Media
Contact: http://www.yorkshirepost.co.uk/contactus.aspx
Website: http://www.yorkshirepost.co.uk/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/2239

DRUG SERVICES 'MAY BE SERIOUSLY HAMPERED BY CUTS'

WEST Yorkshire's Police and Crime Commissioner fears services to help
criminals with drug problems will be seriously undermined by a new
wave of spending cuts.

Mark Burns-Williamson, left, voiced concerns after the announcement
that the Government was reducing community safety funding grants by 25
per cent nationally, from UKP120m to UKP90m. The equivalent cut would
see West Yorkshire's allocation slashed from UKP5.3m to UKP3.975m,

Cash is currently provided to the police and partner organisations to
promote community safety initiatives, including drug treatment and
testing services.

But Mr Burns-Williamson, who will become responsible for allocating
funding under the new regime, said the cut was likely to have a
"serious impact".

He said: "There are a range of good projects around drug testing and
intervention that benefit from grants. It hasn't been made clear yet
how the reductions will apply to us, but we're assuming that the
national cut of 25 per cent will come into effect here.

"This will inevitably lead to the loss of staff, which will have an
unavoidable impact on the services they provide."

Mr Burns-Williamson said it was too early to say how the cuts would
directly affect the organisations that work alongside the police and
probation service in providing support to drug users.

But said he would be left with some "difficult decisions".

Mr Burns-Williamson is in the process of gauging public opinion on
what police priorities should be ahead of drafting a Police and Crime
Plan in the new year. 
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MAP posted-by: Jo-D