Barnet Council Approves £3.5m Extra for Drug and Alcohol Services
Government funding will enhance existing contracts with Change Grow Live to support prevention, treatment, and recovery until 2028/29.
Trust 60Craft 71Hype 20How this was reported ▾
The central claim is attributed to Barnet Council and the Department of Health and Social Care, with figures and dates provided.
How well corroborated and evidenced the reporting is. Higher is better.
The article clearly separates facts from comment, provides context on previous statistics, and explains what happens next.
Context, balance and separation of fact from comment. Higher is better.
The language used is measured and proportionate, accurately reflecting the positive news of increased funding.
How far presentation runs ahead of substance. Lower is better.
1 source assessed · methodology
Barnet Council has approved an additional £3.5 million to bolster services addressing substance misuse across the borough. The decision, made by the council's cabinet on Monday 12th, will see the funding directed towards prevention, treatment, and recovery programmes. This additional sum will support these services from the current financial year, 2026/27, through to the end of the 2028/29 period.
Government Funding Stream
Barnet Council Objects to Khan's Green Belt Housing Plans
North London borough raises concerns over housing targets and reliance on protected land release.
The £3,542,384 allocated comes from ring-fenced funding provided by the government's Department of Health and Social Care, administered through the Office for Health Improvement and Disparities (OHID). This funding is specifically designated to support Barnet's Substance Misuse Prevention, Treatment and Recovery Services.
Enhancing Existing Provision
The newly approved funds will be used to enhance the council's existing contract with the charity Change Grow Live. A report from the council stated that this move will enable the continuation and expansion of established drug and alcohol prevention, treatment, and recovery services. This includes targeted interventions for vulnerable groups such as rough sleepers, women, young people, individuals within the criminal justice system, and those requiring more intensive support.
Barnet Council objects to Mayor's London Plan
Concerns raised over housing targets and Green Belt policies in formal response to City Hall.
The council's report indicated that some activities and roles will be added to the current provision, thereby enhancing the existing treatment offer. This represents a continuation and expansion of current services with added improvements.
Context of Service Need
This funding decision follows previous reports highlighting the need for enhanced support. In December last year, it was reported that 30 adults died while in drug treatment in Barnet between April 2022 and March 2025. Nationally, OHID data showed 8,925 people died while in contact with treatment services across England during the same period.
OHID noted that while deaths occur within treatment programmes, they are not always directly attributable to substance misuse. Dr Will Haydock, chief executive of Collective Voice, a charity focused on drug and alcohol treatment systems, previously stated that substance use issues are often linked to wider disadvantages such as housing and employment, and that people using drugs are frequently underserved by general healthcare.
What Happens Next
The additional funding will be integrated into Barnet Council's existing contract with Change Grow Live, with enhancements to services expected to be implemented from the current financial year. Residents seeking support can visit the Change Grow Live website for guidance.
Questions this report answers
+How much additional funding has Barnet Council approved for substance misuse services?
Barnet Council has approved an additional £3.5 million for substance misuse services. This funding will support prevention, treatment, and recovery programmes and will enhance the council's existing contract with the charity Change Grow Live.
+Where is the additional funding for substance misuse services coming from?
The additional £3.5 million comes from the government's Department of Health and Social Care, via the Office for Health Improvement and Disparities (OHID). This is ring-fenced funding specifically for these services.
+What will the new funding be used for?
The funding will be used to enhance the existing contract with Change Grow Live, supporting the continuation and expansion of drug and alcohol prevention, treatment, and recovery services. This includes targeted interventions for vulnerable groups and improvements to the overall treatment offer.
+Until when will this funding be available?
The funding is allocated to cover services from the current financial year, 2026/27, through to the end of the 2028/29 financial period. This ensures sustained support for substance misuse programmes in Barnet.
Barnet Press News Desk
This article was written at the Barnet Press news desk from the reporting of the outlets listed below it. Drafting is done by a language model under human editorial supervision — there is no reporter behind this byline, and we would rather say so than invent one.
How stories are produced and scoredWho runs Barnet PressCorrections
Barnet conditions
Loading live conditions…
More Coverage in Council & Politics
Barnet Council Objects to Khan's Green Belt Housing Plans
Barnet Council objects to Mayor's London Plan
Barnet Council in talks to raise council tax above 5% limit
