This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-wales-22357369

The article has changed 6 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 1 Version 2
Rural drug funding cuts opposed by support group Rural drug funding cuts opposed by support group
(about 1 hour later)
Money to help drug users in parts of rural Wales is being cut by up to a third in a new Welsh government funding formula, a support charity has warned.Money to help drug users in parts of rural Wales is being cut by up to a third in a new Welsh government funding formula, a support charity has warned.
Kaleidoscope says reallocating funds to cities could lead to a hidden problem in rural areas.Kaleidoscope says reallocating funds to cities could lead to a hidden problem in rural areas.
The government said location was not a factor in its funding changes, which were "evidence based". The Welsh government said location was not a factor in its funding changes, which were "evidence based".
The substance misuse budget has risen overall by £400,000 but it will be shared differently across the country.The substance misuse budget has risen overall by £400,000 but it will be shared differently across the country.
Four of the seven area planning boards which commission the services will have their funding cut while the remaining three will have their budgets increased.Four of the seven area planning boards which commission the services will have their funding cut while the remaining three will have their budgets increased.
Kaleidoscope, which provides support to people with drug and alcohol problems, says the changes in the way money is allocated in Wales could lead to a hidden drug problem without the services to deal with it.Kaleidoscope, which provides support to people with drug and alcohol problems, says the changes in the way money is allocated in Wales could lead to a hidden drug problem without the services to deal with it.
'Public scandal''Public scandal'
Chief executive Martin Blakebrough said: "I would say to the Welsh government that they have to take rural communities seriously and the way that this funding formula has been devised is a damning indictment of a government who doesn't care about the heart of its country."Chief executive Martin Blakebrough said: "I would say to the Welsh government that they have to take rural communities seriously and the way that this funding formula has been devised is a damning indictment of a government who doesn't care about the heart of its country."
He said that rural services are more expensive to run but money is being taken from those areas and given to cities.He said that rural services are more expensive to run but money is being taken from those areas and given to cities.
"They've decided to give 10% extra to the most expensive service in Wales - which is in Cardiff - and get that money from areas like Monmouthshire and Powys."They've decided to give 10% extra to the most expensive service in Wales - which is in Cardiff - and get that money from areas like Monmouthshire and Powys.
"That seems to me that people in rural areas are being ignored and I think it's a public scandal."That seems to me that people in rural areas are being ignored and I think it's a public scandal.
"Where is the equality?""Where is the equality?"
The four areas that will have a decrease in funding are Dyfed, Powys, Cwm Taf and Gwent.The four areas that will have a decrease in funding are Dyfed, Powys, Cwm Taf and Gwent.
Three areas will see an increase - north Wales, Abertawe Bro Morgannwg, and Cardiff and Vale.Three areas will see an increase - north Wales, Abertawe Bro Morgannwg, and Cardiff and Vale.
Welsh Liberal Democrat leader Kirsty Williams, the AM for Brecon and Radnorshire, said: "The problem is that in rural areas you can't just have one building to deliver a service from because the distance people have to travel is too great and public transport is often very poor or non-existent.Welsh Liberal Democrat leader Kirsty Williams, the AM for Brecon and Radnorshire, said: "The problem is that in rural areas you can't just have one building to deliver a service from because the distance people have to travel is too great and public transport is often very poor or non-existent.
"If you've got someone who's trying to deal with an addiction problem you need to make it easy for them to get help."If you've got someone who's trying to deal with an addiction problem you need to make it easy for them to get help.
"If we don't have the resources to do that we'll see some people not being able to access services or simply choosing not to find that help because it will be too hard," she said."If we don't have the resources to do that we'll see some people not being able to access services or simply choosing not to find that help because it will be too hard," she said.
In a statement, the Welsh government said while it understands that substance misuse is not confined to urban areas, the new funding formula is "evidence based and takes rural areas into account through indicators on access to services locally" among other factors.In a statement, the Welsh government said while it understands that substance misuse is not confined to urban areas, the new funding formula is "evidence based and takes rural areas into account through indicators on access to services locally" among other factors.
"North Wales, which is largely rural, received a substantial increase in its share of the formula; emphasising that rurality was not a major factor in changes to the formula," said a spokesperson."North Wales, which is largely rural, received a substantial increase in its share of the formula; emphasising that rurality was not a major factor in changes to the formula," said a spokesperson.
"In addition, the Welsh government has increased the overall amount allocated to area planning boards by £400,000 to ensure that no area planning board received more than a 5% cut to their allocation.""In addition, the Welsh government has increased the overall amount allocated to area planning boards by £400,000 to ensure that no area planning board received more than a 5% cut to their allocation."