Balwinder emphasised that joint working in terms of both statutory and non-statutory services and drugs and alcohol services is useful to all parties. They offer both solely alcohol and combined alcohol and drug services. Other service providers are statutory services in Kings Lynn, Norwich and Ipswich. There are no ring-fenced alcohol detox beds in Norfolk or Suffolk, but there are four for drugs in Norwich and two in Yarmouth and Lowestoft. They have probation partnerships, some lottery and SRB money and some other add-ons.
All new money is drugs money and it is hard work keeping alcohol on the agenda.
The DATs have taken on alcohol, but this does not have a practical impact on services. There is no lead or strategy for alcohol in Norfolk and Suffolk and the only new money in the last ten years was from Alcohol Concern a few years ago for work with rural communities. Strategic Issues Penny pointed out that not only was all new money drugs money, but it is also criminal justice driven. Most alcohol services have to deal with any extra referrals as a result of these schemes using existing resources. Another issue is that of treatment.