« Previous | Contents | Next »
Listen
Effective Interventions Unit Supporting families and carers of drug users: A review
CHAPTER 9: RESOURCES
INFORMATION FOR FAMILIES:
ADFAM produce a range of information for families and for family support groups, they also provide a range of training and consultancy packages.
Contact 020 7928 8900
www.adfam.org.uk
Living With A Drug User - For the Partners of Drug Users
The booklet is designed to help drug users and also their partners think about positive ways of helping themselves or partners in tackling substance misuse.
Living with a Drug User - For the Parents of Drug Users
This booklet aims to help parents think of positive ways of helping their drug user and coping with the situation themselves. It contains more comprehensive information on:
'understanding drug use', 'communication', 'what help is available' and 'what if they continue using drugs'.
(This booklet is also available in Bengali)
Prisons, Drugs and You - A booklet for the families and friends of prisoners
This booklet for families and friends of imprisoned drug users contains practical information and useful suggestions for coping with drugs and imprisonment. It also suggests positive ways that families can help themselves and support their drug-using prisoner.
Are you worried about your mum, dad or carer using drugs or alcohol
The booklet is designed for children to assist them in understanding more about drug use, what you can do to help themselves and their guardian/parent
LIFELINE - produces publications specifically aimed at parents of young people who may be using illicit drugs. The leaflets are designed to expose commonly believed myths and provide accurate information on drug use.
Contact: 0161 839 2054
www.lifeline.org.uk
Drug Myths - A Parent's Guide
A guide to parents to the common myths around drug use which can lead to fear and misunderstanding.
Drug Facts - A Parent's Guide
A guide to parents about different types of drugs, their street names, the long term effects, the risks involved in taking them and legality. It also provides information on what can you do as a parent and where to go for help.
The South Asian Community and Drugs (Urdu)
The South Asian Community and Drugs (Bengali)
Written in English, Urdu and Bengali these illustrated guides provide information on drugs and drug use specifically aimed at the South Asian community.
HEBS - Health Education Board for Scotland
Contact: 0131 536 5500
www.hebs.co.uk
HEBS aims to ensure that people have adequate information about health and factors which influence it. In terms of drug misuse, the website offers information on substance abuse through various articles, library journals and statistics. The website also provides contact address and numbers of support groups all over Scotland and informs the public of health promotional projects related on drug misuse. HEBS produced the document The Facts About Drugs: A Parent's Guide. It is a very popular and easily understood guide for parents listing commonly-misused drugs, legal information, first-aid advice and where to go to for help.
KNOW THE SCORE
0800 587 5879
www.knowthescore.info
Know the Score is the Scottish Executive's Drugs Communications Strategy providing the public with information and advice on drugs issues. The initiative operates the following functions:
- media campaigns
- website
- an information line
- produces drugs information materials
The web site contains information for everyone from young people and parents, who simply want the facts about drugs, to those who might be looking for more detailed advice about the potential harmful effects of drugs misuse. As well as clearly sign-posting you to a range of useful information, the Know the Score web site gives the opportunity to find out what is being done to tackle the harm caused by drug use across Scotland.
SAD - Scotland Against Drugs
Contact:0141 331 6150
www.scotlandagainstdrugs.org.uk
Scotland Against Drugs operate a range of funding programmes, produces information, develops media campaigns and operates a website. The aim of SAD is to help prevent drug misuse and its consequences impacting on local communities in Scotland:
Families Anonymous
Contact: 0845 1200 660
www.famanon.org.uk
Families Anonymous provide a Helpline service which operates 24 hours a day providing support and information regarding support in the caller's area. In addition to this they provide assistance in setting up groups locally, along with information resources for families and those working with the families of drug users.
Glasgow Association of Family Support Groups (GAFSG)
Contact: 0141 420 2050
As well as providing a number of services locally, they also provide a telephone service which is used by people throughout Scotland. Callers can gain information and support from staff and volunteers , who are often family members who have faced similar difficulties and experiences. GAFSG also have a number of support groups from throughout Scotland affiliated to them and can inform callers of their nearest support group, meeting times etc.
INFORMATION FOR FAMILY SUPPORT GROUPS AND THOSE SUPPORTING FAMILIES
ADFAM (see 'Information for families for contact details)
A Guide to setting up a family/friends support group
A comprehensive guide containing initial methods for:
- identifying needs,
- establishing a family support group
- management of a family support group
- dealing with difficulties in the group.
- working with professionals
- fundraising
Working with drug family support groups (Paul Lockley, isbn 1-85343-337-3)
The resource includes:
- defining and planning support
- facilitating support groups
- keeping groups going
- specific areas of work
PADA
Contact 0151 356 1996
www.btinternet.com/~padahelp /
PADA operate a 24 hour helpline service for family members. Family support groups from throughout the UK can arrange to link into this service through a call divert arrangement (contact PADA for further details)
PADA can provide support groups with help and advice regarding becoming established, obtaining charitable status etc.
Glasgow Association of Family Support Groups (GAFSG)
(see information for families for contact details)
GAFSG can provide assistance with becoming established, committees, constitutions etc. Also can provide peer support to maintain motivation and helpful hints.
TRAINING FOR THOSE PROVIDING SUPPORT TO FAMILIES AND CARERS:
PADA run a volunteer training package for volunteers supporting families and friends of drug users. The training is accredited by the Open College. Content includes:
- history of drug use
- knowledge about drugs
- understanding different types of drug use, addiction and dependence
- signs and symptoms of drug use
- understanding adolesence and risk taking
- helping and support skills
ADFAM run a range of training packages for those involved in supporting families and carers:
- setting up a helpline
- setting up a family support group
- drugs and the family (for drug workers)
- families and the community
- training the trainer
- communication skills
- family dynamics and conflict resolution
Training can also be tailored to individual needs. Adfam also offer consultancy work to policy makers, practitioners and grassroots groups
HIT
Contact: 020 8533 9563
www.hit.org.uk
HIT provide a wide range of publications, training course and other services. Training with regards to those supporting families covers:
- attitudes towards parenting and young people's drug use
- current research
- ways of working with parents
- available resources
Scottish Training on Drugs and Alcohol (STRADA)
Contact: 0141 330 2335
www.projectstrada.org
STRADA provide training throughout Scotland to drug workers, health and social workers, and voluntary groups. They offer a range of courses including:
- Children and families affected by problem drug use
- Understanding drug and alcohol issues
- Young people: drugs and alcohol
- Blood borne viruses
They also offer a Certificate in Addictions course.
Scottish Drugs Forum (SDF)
SDF is an umbrella organisation for workers and agencies which aims to provide a link between drug service users, agencies and policy makers. It aims to promote best practice and offers a range of services including research and consultancy, information and advice. A further aspect of SDF's work is around 'community engagement'. SDF offer a range of support including:
- capacity building, support and networking for existing community groups
- training for community groups
- specific community engagement work
- information and advice to existing groups
- development of a toolkit for drug action teams.
FUNDING SOURCES:
Drug Action Teams
Contact details are provided in Appendix 2
Drug Action Teams are a good first source of financial support as they often manage monies distributed by The Scottish Executive and co-ordinate developments within their specific areas.
Scotland Against Drugs - SAD
Contact:0141 331 6150
www.scotlandagainstdrugs.org.uk
SDA operate the 'Communities Programme' which aims to assist in establishing community based initiatives to respond to drug issues. The Community Programme aims to:
- provide practical support and advice to community groups and organisations in planning new initiatives by contributing, as appropriate, to local events, workshops and meetings with groups and agencies;
- provide financial support to community groups and organisations for significant new initiatives and innovative projects to enable local people to identify solutions to drug misuse and develop projects appropriate to local needs.
Lloyds TSB - Partnership Drugs Initiative (PDI)
Contact: 0870 902 1201
www.ltsbfoundationforscotland.org.uk
The programme is run in partnership with the Scottish Executive, charitable organisations and local Drug Action Teams. It aims to promote work with vulnerable young people and children. The programme would be highly suitable for developing any work to support siblings and dependent children who may be in the care of a relative. Applications are prepared and submitted by local Drug Action Teams in partnership with voluntary organisations and awards are made directly to the voluntary organisation (recognised charitable organisations only). PDI will fund up to 50% of the cost of the proposal with the DAT identifying the remainder.
Lloyds TSB also run a programme of Capacity Building Grants. This programme provides organisations with funding to obtain expert advice in areas such as financial management, fundraising, information technology, marketing, strategic planning and staff development.
National Lottery
Contact: 0845 600 2040
www.awardsforall.org.uk/scotland
Awards for All is a small grant scheme that funds community groups and initiatives. The aim of the scheme is to fund projects which bring people together in their community, improve their quality of life and increase their involvement, though activities etc. Funding amounts range from 500 to 500. Applications can be made at any time and decisions of an award are made quickly.
Changing Children's Services Fund: Scottish Executive
Contact local DAT for details
The Changing Children's Services Fund - 80m over 2002-04 - is aimed at providing funding to help local authorities, the NHS and the voluntary sector to re-orientate and better integrate children's services. It includes a strand aimed specifically at children and young people affected by drug misuse, either their own or their parents - 6 million a year for 3 years. This fund has enabled a broad range of new and enhanced services for children to come on stream, including substance misuse. Applications must be approved by the local Drug Action Team and involve a range of partner agencies.
Social Inclusion Partnerships (SIPs)
SIPs are local forums made up of statutory and voluntary representatives from throughout their local community. Representation also includes the private sector. SIPs aim to act as local managers to develop strategies to address social exclusion and fund locally based projects. The Scottish Executive has allocated funds to SIPs to specifically address drug misuse in their communities. Several family support services have been established from receiving SIP funding.
A useful source of information regarding SIPs is the Scottish Council for Voluntary Organisations (SCVO), which has a web site explaining what SIPs are and where they exist.
SCVO
Contact: 0141 221 0030 / 0131 556 3882
www.scvo.org.uk/sip/about/abt_sips.htm
« Previous | Contents | Next »