Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask His Majesty's Government what plans, if any, they have to establish (1) a helpline, and (2) specialist services, to enable patients to break free from addiction to benzodiazepine prescribed drugs.

Local authorities (LAs) in England are responsible for commissioning drug treatment services, including specialist services for prescribed drug dependency. The Government’s 10-year drug strategy is underpinned by record new investment, including £532 million for LAs to invest in drug treatment and recovery services in addition to the public health grant. LAs’ individual financial allocations and assessment of local need will determine if specialist services for prescribed drug dependency are a viable intervention, and it is for LAs to make the assessment to resource this from their drug treatment funding.

The Office for Health Improvement and Disparities provide oversight of local delivery at a national level and continue to monitor implementation against the aims of the drug strategy.