Treatment services during the covid-19 outbreak

That this House acknowledges the vital role being performed by drug and alcohol treatment services throughout the country during the covid-19 outbreak; recognises that key workers on the frontline of critical service provision are among the unsung heroes who rarely receive the recognition they deserve; commends the dedication with which they have maintained crucial support for a most vulnerable section of our society; expresses its gratitude for the flexibility shown in adapting to meet the needs of service users in these most difficult current circumstances; recognises that the work has been achieved after a decade of depleted resources as a result of austerity and funding cuts; notes that a surge in mental health issues can be anticipated in the wake of such crises; recommends that to help people stay safe, protect the NHS and save lives, future funding for this often-overlooked sector should be safeguarded; and calls on the Government to ensure drug and alcohol treatment providers are involved in shaping plans for post-pandemic public health provision.