ALCOHOLICS in Somerset are struggling to find the help they need because of a lack of funding.
Even though there are more than three times as many alcoholics than drug addicts in the county, the Government gives millions more each year to help drug users.
This week, probation and alcohol treatment workers revealed their concerns about the small number of resources available to aid those with drink problems.
Alcohol abusers are able to access drop-in centres but face difficulties when trying to get round-the-clock care in a residential rehab clinic.
John Wiseman, assistant chief officer with Avon and Somerset Probation area, told the Weekly News there has been large amounts of money spent on drug treatment programmes - but not on alcohol schemes.
He said: "There hasn't been a similar investment in relation to alcohol treatment. It would be fair to say that there is a lack of funding in relation to the provision of alcohol treatment across the country.
"From a probation perspective we have had some funding into the delivery of tier one and tier two alcohol provision. This is very low-level alcohol treatment and short term counselling for offenders.
"We do have difficulties in accessing resident treatment because of the lack of funding to support that."
Only last week, a Bridgwater man told Taunton Crown Court he had been unable to get a place in a residency rehab clinic because of lack of funding.
Nigel Askham, defending Jasbir Dhaliwal against charges of robbery and assault, said his 19-year-old client had been assessed as needing treatment but finding it was like being "up against a brick wall".
Whereas Somerset's drug treatment programmes benefit from £4.25million annual funding, with two-thirds coming from the Government, the county's alcohol schemes are scratching around for money.
Somerset Drug and Alcohol Action Team coordinator Amanda Payne said: "With alcohol there is no central government budget.
"Two years ago a National Alcohol Strategy was published but unlike when they published the National Drug Strategy, no money was forthcoming.
"In Somerset there are about 10,000 people with alcohol problems and about 2,000 to 3,000 with drug problems. But there is quite a difference in the need and services offered."
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