Latest news with #DanielMatchett
Yahoo
08-06-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
Ketamine crisis causing A&E influx
Parts of Lancashire are in the grip of a "ketamine crisis" with the drug causing a surge in visits to A&E amongst those using it, councillors have been warned. County Councillor Daniel Matchett, who works as a mental health nurse, said he had witnessed a "massive influx of ketamine users" in A&E. It comes after a £10.6m grant was given to Lancashire County Council to prevent drug and alcohol-related deaths and help those with addiction issues. Machett said young people were "becoming dependant" on ketamine, a powerful horse tranquiliser and anaesthetic. Ketamine is a licensed drug and can be prescribed medically. However, when misused, it can cause serious and sometimes permanent damage to the bladder, along with other health problems. The disturbing rise of ketamine abuse among young people Matchett told Lancashire County Council's cabinet meeting: "It's prevalent in festivals and everyday life – young people [are] becoming dependent on ketamine and it's a very sad thing to see." He agreed to meet with Progressive Lancashire opposition group leader Azhar Ali and other representatives from East Lancashire to discuss the issue, the Local Democracy Reporting Service said. "[There is a] ketamine crisis in places like Burnley…and there is a real need to learn from people who have gone through that experience," Lancashire County Councillor Ali said. The funding from the £10.6m grant aims to cut crime associated with drugs and save the lives of users. It will also be used to help those dependent on alcohol, the council said. In Lancashire, the lion's share of the cash – £8.1m – will go to the Change Grow Live charity to deliver improvements in both drug and alcohol treatment and rehabilitation, including individual placements. Five other organisations, Red Rose Recovery, The Well Communities, Lancashire Women, Active Lancashire and The Foxton, will receive grants of between £79,000 and £443,000 for their specialist work. Meanwhile, in-patient detox placements will be given £430,000 as part of a consortium with neighbouring local authorities. The council said the overall grant would be used to: Increase "peer support" to encourage uptake of the harm reduction services on offer in the county Enhance the out-of-hours support available to recovering addicts, including at weekends Support those in or at risk of entering the criminal justice system by providing "improved care pathways" to drug treatment services Listen to the best of BBC Radio Lancashire on Sounds and follow BBC Lancashire on Facebook, X and Instagram. You can also send story ideas via Whatsapp to 0808 100 2230. Council gets £10m boost for drug and alcohol support Generation K: The disturbing rise of ketamine abuse among young people Hooked on ketamine - Gen Z's drug of choice Lancashire County Council Local Democracy Reporting Service
BBC News
08-06-2025
- Health
- BBC News
Lancashire in grip of 'ketamine crisis' amid A&E influx
Parts of Lancashire are in the grip of a "ketamine crisis" with the drug causing a surge in visits to A&E amongst those using it, councillors have been Councillor Daniel Matchett, who works as a mental health nurse, said he had witnessed a "massive influx of ketamine users" in A& comes after a £10.6m grant was given to Lancashire County Council to prevent drug and alcohol-related deaths and help those with addiction said young people were "becoming dependant" on ketamine, a powerful horse tranquiliser and anaesthetic. Ketamine is a licensed drug and can be prescribed medically. However, when misused, it can cause serious and sometimes permanent damage to the bladder, along with other health problems. The disturbing rise of ketamine abuse among young peopleMatchett told Lancashire County Council's cabinet meeting: "It's prevalent in festivals and everyday life – young people [are] becoming dependent on ketamine and it's a very sad thing to see."He agreed to meet with Progressive Lancashire opposition group leader Azhar Ali and other representatives from East Lancashire to discuss the issue, the Local Democracy Reporting Service said."[There is a] ketamine crisis in places like Burnley…and there is a real need to learn from people who have gone through that experience," Lancashire County Councillor Ali said. Who will get funding? The funding from the £10.6m grant aims to cut crime associated with drugs and save the lives of users. It will also be used to help those dependent on alcohol, the council Lancashire, the lion's share of the cash – £8.1m – will go to the Change Grow Live charity to deliver improvements in both drug and alcohol treatment and rehabilitation, including individual other organisations, Red Rose Recovery, The Well Communities, Lancashire Women, Active Lancashire and The Foxton, will receive grants of between £79,000 and £443,000 for their specialist in-patient detox placements will be given £430,000 as part of a consortium with neighbouring local council said the overall grant would be used to:Increase "peer support" to encourage uptake of the harm reduction services on offer in the countyEnhance the out-of-hours support available to recovering addicts, including at weekendsSupport those in or at risk of entering the criminal justice system by providing "improved care pathways" to drug treatment services Listen to the best of BBC Radio Lancashire on Sounds and follow BBC Lancashire on Facebook, X and Instagram. You can also send story ideas via Whatsapp to 0808 100 2230.
Yahoo
05-06-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
Council gets £10m boost for drug and alcohol support
Lancashire County Council has been handed more than £10m by the government to prevent drug and alcohol-related deaths and help those with addiction issues. The authority said the cash, which has been put together by consolidating other grants for services like recovery programs and housing schemes for vulnerable people, was one of the largest amounts allocated across England. A council spokesperson said it would be used to pay for services like mental health support for those with substance abuse problems and drug education in schools. County Councillor Daniel Matchett, who works as a mental health nurse, said the funding was welcome as he had seen the "devastation" caused by drugs first-hand. Councillors have approved the allocation of the £10m grant by the Department of Health and Social Care. It is aimed at funding improved treatment, cutting crime and preventing drug and alcohol-related deaths. Matchett said: "It is a significant amount of funding. "There is a real focus on improving the quality of treatment and making sure more people can access this, which will help prevent drug and alcohol-related deaths in the county." Among the services that will be supported by the grant are addiction recovery help out-of-hours as well as additional weekend support, and inpatient detox placements. It also includes funding for training to professionals in schools and improved support for those in the criminal justice system. Listen to the best of BBC Radio Lancashire on Sounds and follow BBC Lancashire on Facebook, X and Instagram. You can also send story ideas via Whatsapp to 0808 100 2230. Lancashire County Council
BBC News
05-06-2025
- Health
- BBC News
Lancashire: £10m boost for council drug and alcohol support services
Lancashire County Council has been handed more than £10m by the government to prevent drug and alcohol-related deaths and help those with addiction authority said the cash, which has been put together by consolidating other grants for services like recovery programs and housing schemes for vulnerable people, was one of the largest amounts allocated across England. A council spokesperson said it would be used to pay for services like mental health support for those with substance abuse problems and drug education in Councillor Daniel Matchett, who works as a mental health nurse, said the funding was welcome as he had seen the "devastation" caused by drugs first-hand. Councillors have approved the allocation of the £10m grant by the Department of Health and Social is aimed at funding improved treatment, cutting crime and preventing drug and alcohol-related said: "It is a significant amount of funding. "There is a real focus on improving the quality of treatment and making sure more people can access this, which will help prevent drug and alcohol-related deaths in the county."Among the services that will be supported by the grant are addiction recovery help out-of-hours as well as additional weekend support, and inpatient detox also includes funding for training to professionals in schools and improved support for those in the criminal justice system. Listen to the best of BBC Radio Lancashire on Sounds and follow BBC Lancashire on Facebook, X and Instagram. You can also send story ideas via Whatsapp to 0808 100 2230.
