Neath drugs centre to tackle addiction

A £500,000 refurbished drug and alcohol misuse centre is opening in Neath.

The base provides education, treatment and group support to help people fight addictions and a needle exchange to stop the spread of infections.

It will help those recovering to learn new skills and find jobs and offer help to their families and friends.

Based at Victoria Gardens it is run by the West Glamorgan Council on Alcohol and Drug Abuse, which also has centres in Swansea and Port Talbot.

Health Minister Edwina Hart opened the assembly government funded project.

She said £52.6m was being spent on supporting the substance misuse strategy in Wales this year.

"We are investing in prevention and education to stop people becoming hooked on alcohol or drugs in the first place, but are also investing in treatment and rehabilitation for those who are addicted," she said.

Mrs Hart reaffirmed the assembly government wanted to tackle binge drinking and alcohol misuse through the devolution of powers to regulate the sale of alcohol by supermarkets, licensed premises, pubs and clubs.

"This could include introducing tougher controls to combat irresponsible promotions, providing more powers for police and local communities to influence licensing decisions and powers to introduce a minimum price per unit of alcohol."