Addiction services projects awarded more than £12m of funding

More than £12 million has been awarded to projects delivering addiction services in Northern Ireland and the border counties of Ireland.

The Peaceplus funding awards have been made to a programme delivering personalised care to people experiencing alcohol-related harm and another which aims to use digital technology to transform healthcare for those involved in substance use.

Peaceplus is managed by the Special EU Programmes Body (SEUPB), a funding partnership between the European Union, the UK and Irish Governments and the Northern Ireland Executive.

A total of £12,410,600 (14,800,071.56 euro) is being given to two projects.

The Community Alcohol Detox+ project (CAD+) is a cross-border community-based model that aims to deliver care to individuals experiencing alcohol-related harm.

Its objective is to mitigate the effects of alcohol on individuals, families, and communities by supporting adults detoxing at home or in a community space rather than in residential services.

Substance Use and Mental Health Interventions using Digital Technology (SUMIT) is a pilot project which aims to expand digital inclusion to people living with substance use and associated mental health issues.

It will develop three digitally enabled products for 1,500 people affected by waiting lists, lack of interventions, stigma, poverty, and ill-health, when trying to access healthcare.

There will be four sites covering Letterkenny and Derry, prison services in Belfast, Co Louth and Fife in Scotland.

Those who take part will be provided with digital devices and personalised support while being taught self-management.

Stormont’s Health Minister Mike Nesbitt said: “Substance use impacts the lives of too many individuals, families and communities across Northern Ireland, and indeed on both sides of the border.

“I very much welcome this investment and look forward to seeing both projects improve the lives of some of the most vulnerable people across our society and improve outcomes for those in need.”

Irish Health Minister Stephen Donnelly said: “Research findings demonstrate a clear correlation between addiction and the legacy of conflict.

“I am very pleased that addiction services have been identified as a specific intervention for support, especially within those areas where there are clear benefits to collaborative, cross-border interventions.

“The two projects approved, which will deliver addiction services to vulnerable people living in Northern Ireland and the border counties of Ireland, will not only lead to healthier and more hopeful lives for individuals suffering from addiction, but will also undoubtedly benefit their families and the wider community.”

SEUPB chief executive Gina McIntyre said: “With demands on health and social care services so high, coupled with major issues in terms of resources, cross-border co-operation can alleviate those pressures by delivering economies of scale.

“A joined-up approach can deliver more efficient and effective resources, maximising the potential of technology to transform how healthcare is accessed and delivered.”