ALMOST £7m was spent tackling health problems in Barnsley including obesity, smoking, drugs misuse, alcohol misuse and sexual health.

A freedom of information request has revealed the most money was spent on drug misuse amongst adults and sexual health, with a total of £5m of the £6.8m being spent in these areas during the last financial year.

The request, made by Jack Stanson, showed almost £188,000 was spent on alcohol misuse; £727,000 on smoking and £628,500 on obesity.A total of £245,000 was spent on physical activity.

The Chronicle contacted Sharon Stoltz, acting director of public health, on several occasions to ask what exactly the money had been spent on and if there had been any progress has been made in tackling these issues, but a spokesman said Ms Stoltz did not have the capacity to provide these answers.