What we want from the new Prime Minister
27 April 2010
We asked Foundation66 colleagues what newly elected Prime Minister Cameron should do for our sector. This is a sample of what they said.
“Make more funding available for us to develop more accommodation-based support options for our service users.” Sally Scriminger, Chief Executive
“ Invest more money in longer term treatment so that we can treat the causes of addiction rather than just the symptoms.”
David Polak, Ravenswood Road
“Wake up to the stark reality that alcohol misuse is a far greater problem in this country than drug misuse will ever be.”
Nick Sweet, Director of Corprate Services
“They need to really understand what goes on in the projects instead of just dealing with statistics. The statistics can’t tell you anything.” Junior Berry, Apprentice
“I’d like them to take the emphasis off Problematic Drug Users (PDU's). There is a range of drugs that affect communities in very different ways. More emphasis on bringing drug and alcohol issues to the health agenda rather than the criminal justice agenda.” Lennox Drayton, New Roots
“Give us lots of funding and space for new independent treatment ideas, for people who want to do their own projects.”
Nina Tihanyi- Meittinger, Brecknock Road
“The tendering system creates competition which is unhealthy. We see people working up the road in another service as being in competition with us. That doesn’t help the service user.” Drew Miller, CASS, Hammersmith and Fulham
“Recognise those parts of the community which are not dependent not causing crime but are still needing some kind of health support.”
Greg Scott, Manager, CASS
