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Part 3 - User and Carer Services

3.6 People with problems associated with drug and alcohol misuse

1. Achievements 2001- 2004 and Key Actions for 2004/05

What we have achieved through the Strategic Programme (2001-2004)

Actions to Improve Performance (2004 - 2005)

1. Availability

Agree and implement an inter-agency drug reduction strategy to establish information sharing protocols, mobilise community resources, identify & disrupt local drug markets & promote training and best practice among pub and club staff

Devon Drug Action Team (DAT) and Community Safety Partnerships consulted with local communities and developed approaches that could be effectively implemented and monitored. (Consultation in 2003, implementation by 2005.)

Local media and web-based and conventional publishing utilised to improve public information and awareness. (Ongoing)

New national guidance now makes the integration of the agendas for Community Safety and Drug Action Teams across Devon during 2004/5 inevitable. This work is being led by the DAT and the Crime and Disorder Reduction Partnerships.

2. Young People

Implement Drug & Alcohol Education Programmes in each district

District Implementation Groups developed joint working arrangements and piloted schemes including youth services, further education colleges, parents and carers.

Continue target of 100% coverage of drugs education in schools and 100% targeting of vulnerable young people for drug assessment.

In each district implement a Young Person's Substance Misuse Service which provides non-school based education and prevention initiatives, which target the needs of vulnerable/at risk groups and which provides an assessment and treatment service to provide individual intervention and care plans

Joint Commissioning Groups worked with selected local providers to monitor progress and ensure effective provision and that services were meeting agreed objectives. Ensured that service specifications and delivery met the needs of looked after children, vulnerable young people and those entering the criminal justice system (Selection of providers by April 2002).

Use pooled young people's budget alongside the pilot Children's Trust to develop targeted services to 100% of vulnerable young people.

Develop a DAT wide strategy for the provision of intensive detoxification and prescribing.

DAT co-ordinated the commissioning of sustainable services across Local Implementation Group districts and ensured the provision of safe and effective services.

Develop a wider range of rehabilitation provision that meets quality standards. Use pooled young people's budget to commission services.

3. Communities

Ensure that Arrest Referral & Drug Treatment & Testing Orders (DTTO) across Devon are working effectively.

Joint Commissioning Groups have worked with Probation and the Police to ensure effective monitoring and service developments. (By April 2004)

New Criminal Justice Intervention Programme monies will add further capacity to the current successful Drug Treatment and Testing Orders.

Develop a Supporting People (SP) proposal in each district to improve resettlement options for substance misusers.

Local Implementation Groups have worked with Supporting People staff and Local District Councils to identify effective locally based models of provision and where appropriate to include these into the Housing Corporation, South West Investment Strategy.

Specific targets to increase Supporting People bed spaces for drug misusers have been set. DAT will have a senior officer on the new Housing Partnership from April 2004 to ensure Supporting People targets vulnerable drug/alcohol users.

Work with local Community Safety Partnerships to develop locally agreed prevention strategies

Local Implementation Groups and Community Safety Partnerships are developing joint plans to build on existing local pilots and national evidence of good practice. This is including the development of training, information and risk management strategies for staff, parents and carers (2004).

New national guidance describes explicitly how such strategies need to be jointly planned and delivered between Crime & Disorder Reduction Partnerships and DAT. This new arrangement begins April 2004.

Develop services to assess and address substance misuse in the workplace

DAT Education and Prevention Advisory Group have brought forward specific proposals for supporting employers and employees and those wishing to return to work who are encountering problems because of issues relating to substance misuse. (Proposals by 2003 actions by 2005.)

Work to enable achievement of this objective by 2005.

4. Treatment

Develop "specialist generalist" doctors and pharmacy-based "supervised consumption" schemes and recruit extra skilled staff to increase the availability of shared care, community support and structured programmes across all areas of Devon

<sty sys-align-left><sty sys-align-left>Work has taken place within the DAT, local partner agencies and Joint Commissioning structures to support the achievement of the objectives set out in the DAT plan treatment targets (2004)

Increase GP numbers to 30% involved in shared care prescribing across Devon according to needs identified in individual communities.

2. Medium Term Strategy to 2008

  • Increase treatment of stabilised users by GPs.
  • Continue to reduce waiting times for treatment
  • Specify and contract for inpatient and residential treatment/rehabilitation services that are consistent with quality standards.
  • Support Prolific Offender initiatives to reduce crime activity.
  • Reduction in young people's involvement in drug misuse.
  • More targeted and effective treatment services.
  • Whole systems response to drug misusing offenders including care plans/through-care for prison discharges, into community treatment.
  • Simplified partnership working between criminal justice and treatment agencies.
  • Inclusion of alcohol services in the work of the DAT in response to the national Alcohol Harm Reduction Strategy.

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