Agenda item

Presentation by Strategic Lead – ADP and Health Improvement.  Background papers attached.

3.1       With reference to paragraph 5 of the Minute of 27 October 2016, there had been circulated copies of the Alcohol and Drug Partnership Strategy 2015-2020 which presented the strategy and overall vision of the Borders Alcohol and Drug Partnership for people in the Scottish Borders.  Mr Tim Patterson, Joint Director of Public Health and Ms Fiona Doig, Strategic Lead – Alcohol and Drug Partnership (ADP) and Health Improvement attended the meeting to give a presentation on the Strategy, its progress and challenges to date.   Ms Doig explained the way in which the ADP Governance was delivered and how NHS Borders, Scottish Borders Council, the Community Planning Partnership and the Integrated Joint Board contributed to this.  The structure of the ADP included a support team; six operational groups covering Alcohol Brief Interventions; Data and Performance Management; Drug Trends Monitoring Group; Quality Principles Group; Take Home Nalaxone/Injecting Equipment Provision; and Workforce Development.  These groups reported to the ADP Executive Group chaired by the Joint Director of Public Health and ultimately to the Borders ADP, chaired by the Chief Social Work Officer of SBC.  A further layer in this structure was the Drug Death Review Group which reported to the Borders ADP and the Critical Services Oversight Group (CSOG.)

3.2       The key aims of the ADP Strategy were to reduce the prevalence of alcohol and drug use by 5% by 2020 through: prevention and early intervention; reduction of alcohol and drug-related harm to children and young people; improvement of recovery outcomes for service users and reduction in the number of deaths from accidental drug use to fewer than four per year; and the strengthening of partnerships and governance structures.  Ms Doig explained each of these key aims in detail.  The number of alcohol-related hospital stays had remained relatively stable between 2003/04 and 2014/15, with a decrease in overall rates since 2007/08.  An increase in the number of alcohol-related deaths had been reported and further analysis was being carried out to look at reasons or trends for this.

3.3       With regard to harm caused to children and young people, work was ongoing around support for children affected by parental substance misuse; a review of the substance misuse policy in schools; and the availability and enforcement issues relating to “legal highs”.  Generally, there had been a reduction over time in the alcohol-related hospital admissions and the amount of alcohol and drug use in young people.  There had been an increase in recovery activities such as user group projects and Ms Doig reported that more client reviews were carried out now on a regular basis.  Ms Doig summarised the barriers facing the ADP, advising that a reduction in Government funding; availability of alcohol along with attitudes towards drinking; and the stigma attached to the use of drugs and alcohol, all contributed to these challenges.

3.4       Discussion followed and Members raised questions relating to the interpretation of the available data and how the information differentiated between drug and alcohol related deaths.  Ms Doig confirmed that where drugs were involved, the death would be recorded as drug-related.  In terms of successful outcomes, a wider community approach was being taken to address alcohol issues, with an emphasis on getting the cultural and educational messages out into the localities.  Members asked for clarification on some of the terminology used in the report, eg “use” and “abuse”.  Ms Doig advised that this could be complicated and that potentially, doctors could apply either term depending on their opinion of the cause of death.  General discussion followed in relation to how medical care was provided to clients and in terms of investing resources into the areas most in need.  The Chairman thanked Ms Doig and Mr Patterson for their attendance.

DECISION

NOTED the presentation.