Issue details

East Sussex has 1,598 residents accessing drug treatment, 1,118 of which are accessing support for opiates and 739 residents accessing alcohol treatment. The main urban areas of the county – Eastbourne and Hastings have the highest numbers of residents in treatment. However, there are significant treatment populations in other parts of the county. East Sussex has experienced a significant drop in presentations for alcohol since 2013. It is also a priority area for Public Health England (PHE) due to the number of drug related deaths (DRDs).

Substance Misuse treatment in East Sussex is provided by CGL under the brand STAR. There are 2 hubs - 1 in Eastbourne and 1 in Hastings and community services are provided in other parts of the county.

There have been changes in the approach to drug and alcohol treatment in East Sussex since the previous tender process. This includes the removal of highly prescriptive outcomes and payment by results (through a recent waiver). The new service specification will identify outcomes for service users but the emphasis will be on the provider to show how these will be delivered. This is further underlined by a move towards long term recovery, making a positive contribution, wider integration with their local community rather than abstinence.