A NEW drug treatment centre which would save £65,000 of public money every year could be created in the centre of York.

Proposals have been drawn up to merge services for people battling substance abuse problems which are currently housed at three sites around the city into a single base in a move which has been backed by police and support groups.

The building identified for the centre, opposite York’s NHS walk-in centre in Monkgate, already provides drug treatment to homeless adults and travellers’ groups.

City of York Council’s planning application said the current annual rental bill for basing drug treatment providers at three locations is £100,000, but combining them would reduce this to £35,000 and improve the work done by groups the authority commissions to help drug users.

Three other potential sites for the centre were looked at but deemed unsuitable, with a decision on the proposals expected to be made in January.

“By providing an Integrated Adult Drug Treatment Centre, it is expected drug treatment services will be better able to provide and co-ordinate a full range of services for drug users,” said a statement by the council’s property services department.

“Shared premises will improve communication, improve outcomes from drug treatment interventions, reduce crime and benefit the entire York population.

“It is hoped it will act as a centre of excellence for drug treatment services, will encourage drug-users to enter treatment and to successfully complete that treatment within a dedicated, specialist and tailored premises.”

If approved, the centre would include a drop-in zone with a computer suite, ten counselling rooms and three group rooms.

In a letter supporting the application, Superintendent Lisa Winward of North Yorkshire Police, who chairs the Safer York Partnership Board, said: “Such co-location will alleviate community concerns about drug-users frequenting several areas of the city to visit different services. This facility will provide enhanced services which will ultimately benefit the whole community by supporting people away from drug-related and/or criminal lifestyles.”

Linda Haig, Yorkshire area director for drug treatment provider Compass, said: “We believe this will provide improved continuity of care and increase the positive outcomes for our service users.”