10 August 2001 -
The UK Government is investing £40m in helping drugs misusers find
employment. It has begun tendering for organizations to run
the specialist support part of the scheme in 31 pathfinder areas
throughout the country. The progress2work initiative has been set up
by the Employment Service with drugs misuse experts.
Work Minister Nick Brown said:
"We know that drugs misuse is a major barrier to employment - and
that lack of work contributes to drugs misuse. We want to break this
destructive cycle and help people get back into stable, drug-free
lives, where they can become more independent and contribute to their
communities. This will support the Government's 10-year strategy to
beat drugs misuse.
"Every time this scheme helps someone into work and off drugs, we
take another step on the road to beating crime, improving health,
boosting our communities and tackling social exclusion."
The initiative will fund £40m over 3 years. As well as
employment advice and support for people who have been through
treatment and are recovering, progress2work will also aim to assist
current users find work and get the right help to come off drugs.
A dedicated drugs and employment co-ordinator will be provided in each
ES district to ensure that all relevant local
organisations work together. In the second year it will also offer
more intensive help for those at a difficult stage of tackling their
drugs misuse.
progress2work will initially run in the following 31 pathfinder
areas:
Scotland: - Dunbartonshire, Argyll and Bute; Fife; Glasgow North;
Glasgow South; Tayside
Wales: Bridgend and Glamorgan Valleys (Rhondda Cynon Taff);
Swansea (Neath and Port Talbot); North West Wales
East Midlands & Eastern England: Greater Nottinghamshire;
North Nottinghamshire
London and South East: Hackney, South Islington and the City of
London; Hertfordshire; Leaside; Lewisham; Thameside; Thames Gateway;
Sutton, Epsom and Merton
Northern England: Newcastle
North West England: Knowsley and West Lancashire; Liverpool North and Sefton;
South Liverpool
South West England: Bristol and South Gloucestershire; North Devon; Plymouth
West Midlands: Birmingham North; Birmingham South; North Black
Country
Yorkshire & Humberside: Barnsley and Rotherham; Bradford; Doncaster;
Sheffield
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