MASSIVE cuts to Drug-link in Swindon could lead to an increase in crime on our streets, according to its manager.

Druglink has revealed that it will get £70,000 less in its 2005/2006 budget as a result of a reduction in drug services across the town by Swindon Primary Care Trust.

And it claims this could have a huge impact on the town as it will not be able to deal with as many drug abusers as before.

Druglink, based in Victoria Road, was established as a registered charity in Swindon as a response to an increase in drug use more than 20 years ago.

From its earliest days, Druglink has relied on financial support and advice from the local health authority where its public health role and service innovations were recognised. This meant that it has been able to expand its services to provide drug detoxification in the community and community rehabilitation programmes.

Druglink's manager David Cork, said: "Drug-link is to lose £70,000 from its financial budget and this is part of a cut across the board of all drug treatment in Swindon.

"In view of the increased focus in recent years towards putting people into drug treatment and reducing waiting lists this places local services in increasingly difficult positions to meet these objectives.

"For Druglink the reality of losing this funding will lead to redundancies."

Mr Cork claims that this will have serious repercussions.

"This will have a negative effect on the people of Swindon resulting in more crime and increasing stress on families where there is a drug dependent son or daughter," Mr Cork said.

"Statistically, the loss of any posts from Drug-link will lead to up to 25 client appointments being lost each week from each worker."

But Swindon Primary Care Trust would not reveal the reasons behind the cuts.

Jane Leaman, the trust's director of public health, said: "Swindon Primary Care Trust, as part of the Community Safety Partnership, have agreed the drugs treatment budget for 2005/6 against agreed priorities and targets."

Jamie Hill