25 February 2015
Borders Drug and Alcohol service managers, service users and family members met with Paul Wheelhouse, Minister for Community Safety and Legal Affairs on Monday 23rd February.
This was part of a programme of introductory visits across Scotland to gain an understanding of the role of stakeholders and Alcohol & Drug Partnerships, their priorities and to hear directly from people in support services.
The Minister met with the Chair and other members of the Borders Alcohol & Drug Partnership (ADP) and heard a presentation from the Partnership Strategic Coordinator Fiona Doig about the work of the Partnership which is responsible for tackling drug and alcohol problems in Scottish Borders.
Fiona said: “By highlighting how the Borders ADP is tackling drug and alcohol problems in the Scottish Borders we can ensure that we continue to provide the right support to the right people at the right time.”
Fiona’s presentation highlights included:
- Explaining the strong partnership working in the Borders, closer integration of drug and alcohol services and a focus on recovery through community based support.
- The access to treatment is rapid in the Borders with 95% of adults referred for alcohol and drugs starting treatment within three weeks during 2014-15.
- People at risk of opiate overdose have easy access to Take Home Naloxone (a potentially lifesaving medication).
- At the end of January 2015, 1490 people had received a motivational conversation on reducing their alcohol consumption in the previous year by various agencies.
- The priorities for the next year include continued workforce development, a focus on recovery and reintegration to ensure that there are opportunities for people who have come through services to continue their recovery in the wider community. An event for adults affected by someone else’s substance use will be held to allow engagement and identify any gaps in support provision.
Local people using the ADP services were given the opportunity to tell the Minister of their own experiences of the services and how it helped to support their own recovery. Service users were pleased to have the chance to meet the Minister.
Community Safety Minister Paul Wheelhouse said: “Borders ADP has an excellent reputation for delivery and this was a fascinating visit during which I was able to hear about the work local services are doing to assist service users on their recovery journey. It was particularly important to hear from service users themselves on what support they are looking for in the future.
“The Scottish Borders is facing unique challenges, giving the rurality of the area, however it was great to hear about local successes and the strong partnership ethos and to learn lessons that help inform the work of other ADP’s that face similar challenges.”
Alcohol and drugs services in the Scottish Borders are provided by:
- NHS Borders Addiction Service
- Addaction
- Action for Children
Contact details are available via the ADP website: www.badp.scot.nhs.uk