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Drugs agency secures funding
The Drug Advice Service and Helpline (DASH) says it’s business as usual for the charity, in spite of the withdrawal of government funding.
The funding for the young persons’ service was withdrawn in April and funding for the adult and family service ended in August.
Director of services Shelly Stanley said: ‘We would like to clarify that the Drug Advice Service & Helpline (DASH) is continuing and there is no change in service provision.
‘We will continue to provide the telephone helpline, support to young people, adults and families as well as projects in the community.
‘We have had tremendous support locally since March when the Department of Social Care advised that due to cost cutting measures they could provide the service cheaper “in house” and they were not renewing the contract to provide certain services on their behalf.
The Department of Health last week said that the Alcohol Advisory Service would be setting up a service providing a drug service to adults.
DASH chairman Hazel Hannan said: ‘Obviously we were surprised that this contract was not advertised, as would be expected with government contracts.
‘They are normally put out for tender locally and the committee are of course looking into this. We find it hard to understand how trying to duplicate an existing service can save money in times of funding shortages.’
Miss Stanley added: ‘Our priority is and always will be to continue to provide a recognised, high quality, confidential service for young people, adults and families affected by drugs across the island. With support locally we are pleased to be able to continue to provide this.’
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Weather for Isle of Man
Wednesday 22 May 2013
Today
Sunny spells
Temperature: 6 C to 12 C
Wind Speed: 24 mph
Wind direction: North west
Tomorrow
Sunny spells
Temperature: 6 C to 11 C
Wind Speed: 32 mph
Wind direction: North west
