Budget squeeze hits help for vulnerable

The Department of Health has allocated £2.5 million to Brighton and Hove for substance abuse services, £265,000 less than expected.

It means new projects, such as helping families in which parents have addictions, may have to be put on hold unless funding can be found elsewhere.

The money would have gone to the city's Drug and Alcohol Action Team which is run jointly by Brighton and Hove City Primary Care Trust, Sussex Police, Brighton and Hove City Council and the Probation Service.

The city has the highest drug death rate in England and has been working hard to reduce the numbers.

A Trust spokeswoman said they had been hoping for a 42 per cent increase in funding this year but ended up with only a 28 per cent increase.

The city is also coping with a significant drop in funding for HIV/Aids services.

Over the past three years it has dealt with a steady fall in cash, from £424,000 in 2003 to £307,000 for 2006. That is despite the city having 94 new cases a year of people with HIV/Aids.

The problem has been caused by the Government's decision to use 30 per cent of the budget to support women and children with the condition, while in Brighton and Hove most people with HIV/Aids are gay men.

A Trust spokeswoman said: "The cut has been gradual over the years but it has made a difference to the way we have been able to help with the care needed for people and with our contributions to charities who provide support services.

"The charities have done everything they can to continue providing a full service. Nowadays people with HIV are living longer and the condition can be managed."

Bill Randall, Green Party city councillor dealing with health issues, said: "I am angered and dismayed at these cuts, which are a false economy and will seriously affect some of the most vulnerable people.

"The effects could be particularly damaging for more than one generation in families where the parents have problems with drug or alcohol abuse."