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Tackling drugs misuse
04/11/2008
Minister for Community Safety Fergus Ewing will discuss the delivery of the new national drugs strategy with professionals, voluntary groups and service users in Aberdeen today.
The strategy was published on May 29th and unanimously endorsed by the Parliament on June 4, 2008. It places the promotion of recovery at the centre of work to tackle drug use and should help cut the estimated annual £2.6 billion financial cost of problem drug use to the Scottish economy and society.
Key measures in the strategy, The Road to Recovery, include:
- A recognition that tackling problem drug use will only be done through effective policies on the economy, tackling poverty, and supporting families and children
- A fresh approach to drugs education, including the provision of factual information on drugs for parents and grandparents - the Know the Score publication 'Drugs - What Every Parent Should Know' was delivered to households across Scotland
- Reforming how drug services are planned, commissioned and delivered - with a stronger focus on outcomes - and more robust accountability between the Government and local partners
- A commitment to strengthen existing powers to seize assets from drug dealers making a lifetime of crime open to a lifetime of recovery and channelling these monies back into communities
- A new approach to achieve better quality and consistency of drug treatment across all prisons
Mr Ewing said:
"I'm making a series of visits to meet those at the forefront of delivering the new national drugs strategy. I'm delighted to hear first hand from the professionals, voluntary groups and service users about their experience of tackling the various problems which drugs misuse poses for local communities.
"The strategy marks a new phase in tackling drug misuse and places recovery at its heart. It was developed after consultation with experts, practitioners, service users and other key interests. Given the key role of local authorities, COSLA's Health & Wellbeing spokesman Councillor Ronnie McColl is joining me for most of my visits though unfortunately not in Aberdeen today.
"Individuals need timely access to services that go beyond simply reducing risk and harm. Services should support people to move on, towards a drug-free life, as active and contributing members of society. To give effect to this new focus on recovery will require the efforts and commitment of all local partners.
"From enhancing the skills and knowledge of the substance misuse workforce to acting to improve the life-chances of children in substance misusing families, the strategy sets the foundations for a sustained drive to recover lives and reduce the social and economic costs of drugs to our communities."
Richard Carey, NHS Grampian Chief Executive and Chair of Aberdeen City Joint Alcohol & Drugs Action Team said:
"I fully endorse the Scottish Government's Drug Strategy ' The Road to Recovery' and am pleased the Minister for Community Safety has been able to come to Aberdeen today in order to help promote it.
"The Aberdeen City Joint Alcohol & Drugs Action Team is committed to improving services so that they can help those persons with a drugs misuse problem on their personal road to recovery.
"For some people, part of that recovery will mean that they require to access services which provide specialist drug treatment. I am therefore pleased that the waiting list is now sitting at 482, a reduction of 297 since the beginning of the year, as a result of additional investment and hard working staff across a range of services.
"However, treatment is just one aspect in a range of areas which need to be addressed. The JADAT partners are therefore supporting additional measures encompassing everything from education and prevention, through to areas such as harm reduction, treatment, housing, education and employment. By tackling the problem in such a holistic manner we believe that improved outcomes for this client group can be achieved over the lifetime of the strategy."
Cllr McColl commented:
"Given councils' role in contributing to the delivery of services for those with, and those affected by, drug problems, it is vital that I'm aware of any issues surrounding the implementation of the Strategy.
"There's no substitute for personal involvement and hearing it straight from those with a direct interest - which is is why I've been joining the Minister on a number of the visits he is making during his Autumn tour.
"Unfortunately, prior commitments mean I won't be able to participate in today's visit. I look forward, however, to hearing about it from the Minister and to adding that feedback to COSLA's knowledge on this important issue."