More people with substance misuse issues in Cannock will soon get access to better support to help them turn their lives around, after a treatment centre was given the green light by planning officials.

Addiction Dependency Solutions, in partnership with Staffordshire County Council, will be developing the centre to accommodate those who are undergoing treatment for alcohol, substance and steroid misuse.

The centre will also provide support on mental health issues, housing, prescribing clinics, and support for family and carers, and is the first step towards accessing the ongoing recovery services offered by the BAC O’Connor Centre in the town.

The services are all part of the Staffordshire County Council commissioned ‘One Recovery’ service. One Recovery is led by Addiction Dependency Solutions (ADS), and supported by North Staffordshire NHS Combined Healthcare Trust, Changes, Brighter Futures and Arch Housing.

In Cannock Chase alone, 474 people are currently accessing drug and alcohol treatment services, the highest number in Staffordshire. Statistics show that Cannock is in the worst 25% of areas in the country for deaths directly due to alcohol. Added to this, the area is in the top 5% for alcohol related hospital admissions for people under 18.