Devon County Council has confirmed plans to award a new, up to three year contract to Waythrough, the current provider of adult drug and alcohol treatment and recovery services, following a strong track record of delivery since 2018.
Over the past eight years, Waythrough has transformed access to treatment across Devon, responding to a 41% rise in demand since the pandemic and delivering innovative, person-centred care.
Independent reviews and public consultations have praised the service for its work in strengthening connections with housing and criminal justice pathways; enhancing support to health professionals; and involving people with lived experience of drug and alcohol misuse in service development.
Key achievements during the current contract with Waythrough include reducing waiting times for treatment to a minimum; responding to changing patterns of need through, for example, formation of new Ketamine treatment support groups; and enhanced recovery support including access to a range of physical activities and creative arts.
The service is also delivering harm reduction initiatives with a strong evidence base for reducing harm and saving lives including naloxone training for people in treatment, their peers and wider members of the community; needle and syringe exchange services; and blood-borne virus prevention.
‘Individual placement support’ is now helping people in recovery into employment.
And as part of multi-agency work, Waythrough is helping to provide dedicated support to people experiencing homelessness in Exeter, alongside the Clock Tower Surgery, Co-Lab, BtheChange, BCHA and Real Life Psychology. This service was nominated for a national Health Service Journal Award in 2025.
Review of the service also identified development opportunities consistent with national ambitions, including improving the quality of the treatment offer and outcomes; improving access through further outreach; and improving integration and joint working arrangements with other services and professionalisation of workforces.
Councillor Cheryl Cottle-Hunkin, Cabinet Member for Rural Affairs, said:
“Drug and alcohol dependency cuts people’s lives short. Treatment and support to those people saves lives.
“With the support of holistic treatment and recovery services, thousands of people in England leave treatment each year and stay in recovery.
“In Devon, Waythrough has consistently delivered high-quality, innovative services that are saving lives and strengthening communities.
“This new contract ensures continuity in a period of significant potential change in Devon. It builds on their success, supporting our ambition for a healthier, safer Devon.”
Subject to any potential call-in of today’s decision by Cabinet Members, the new contract will start in Spring 2027.
If you, your family or friends need support around drug and alcohol dependency, contact Waythrough on 0800 233 5444, SW_together@waythrough.org.uk or visit https://www.waythrough.org.uk/ to learn more about the help they offer.