E-bulletin for June 2009
Headlines
- From Policy to Project
- New additions to the Hub
- Updates from Alcohol Concern and the Alcohol Learning Centre
Articles
From Policy to Project
Bexley Alcohol Harm Reduction Strategy and linked project
The Bexley Alcohol Strategy sets out Bexley's aims for tackling alcohol misuse and the impacts that alcohol harm has on the community and to the individual. Formulation of this strategy followed an eight step process and involved widespread consultation through conferences, workshops and forums.
An underlying principle and key message of the strategy is that the most effective way to minimise harm associated with alcohol and shape an environment that actively promotes sensible drinking is through partnership between government, local authorities, police, prison and probation staff, health, voluntary organisations, the alcohol industry, the business community, media and local communities. The strategy also has specific sections on young people and older people.
A project directly linked to this strategy is:
- Bexley Treatment Care Pathway Guidance
The Bexley Alcohol Care Pathway Guide was developed over 2008 by the Alcohol Strategy Group in consultation with all service providers in the borough. Its audience for use is alcohol practitioners, GP's and other services that come into contact with people misusing alcohol such as Neighbourhood Coordinators.
The guide outlines the services available in each of the four tiers covered in the Models of Care for Alcohol Misusers (MoCAM) document and has a specific section on young people's substance misuse. (Link)
New additions to the Hub
Cornwall - Trelya fLASH initiative
Trelya (youth service) worked in collaboration with young people (aged 13-24) and with Cornish film-makers to create a series of eight very short films about young people drinking alcohol. Each short film had a story about drinking and a caption designed to get young people thinking about being safe if they drink.
People received one of the films via their mobile phones and two texts with the details of a local alcohol service for young people. The films were also shown in "guerrilla" screenings around the towns in West Cornwall. The films were screened from the back of a car onto walls on Friday and Saturday nights creating a buzz about the campaign. The films reached around 3,000 young people.
Milton Keynes - Brief Interventions for Alcohol Misuse
This project is piloting the introduction of brief interventions in General Practices (and potentially be expanded into A&E and pharmacies) in Milton Keynes. Training was provided to 50 practice staff (mainly GPs) in Jan 2009. Information included in the training included on how to refer to the Tier 2 Alcohol service in the area and a personal view of how easy it is to get into negative drinking habits.
The brief interventions work will feed into the Milton Keynes Drug and Alcohol Action Group to contribute to the partnership work being undertaken around broader alcohol issues.
Bury's 'Holding Families' pilot
Bury's 'Holding Families' pilot project attempted to offer a holistic, intensive treatment service for families where parental alcohol and/or other substance misuse was a problem. The project aimed to treat children and adults needs at the same time, with substance misuse services, statutory child care services and the voluntary sector contributing to a combined therapeutic effort.
This project was also focused on the adult's role as parents (rather than purely the substance/alcohol misuse) in order to better engage them in the service. Following a successful pilot, three years funding was secured until 2011.
Updates from Alcohol Concern and the Alcohol Learning Centre
The Price is Right: protecting communities through action on alcohol sales
This report from Alcohol Concern investigates the relationship between the price of alcohol, consumption levels and alcohol-related harms and calls for a mandatory code of practice to be introduced to regulate the retail drinks industry. Access here
Alcohol Learning Centre Evaluation
The first evaluation of the Alcohol Learning Centre has been launched. They are keen to get feedback from you on how the website is supporting your needs. Complete here
New Data Tools for Commissioning
To coincide with the Alcohol Improvement Programme National Data conference on the 2nd - 3rd June the Alcohol Learning Centre has published the Alcohol Ready Reckoner and other data tools including: the NTA Purple Report and Rush Model. Access these here