Issue - meetings

The Board received a report setting out the key priorities contained within the Adult Drug Treatment and Young People’s Substance Misuse Plans for 2009/10.

Adult Drug Treatment Plan

It was noted that the Adult Drug Treatment Plan was intended to reduce the harm caused by drug misuse to residents of the Borough. During 2009/10 there would be a specific focus on tackling Hepatitis C and B as Haringey had rates of Hepatitis C.

In order to help reduce drug related deaths ‘peer to peer’ training was being provided. Work was also being carried out with prisoners with drug related problems to improve access to treatment.

A joint initiative between Haringey, Barnet, Enfield, Hertfordshire and Islington was also being undertaken to procure a new facility for treating drug users.

It was noted that the draft Welfare Reform Act had proposed that drug users in receipt of Benefits should be required to demonstrate that they were getting treatment. Therefore the potential impact of a large increase in the number of people entering treatment would be considered and reflected in the Plan.

Young People’s Substance Misuse Plan

It was noted that work had been carried to ensure that the Plan linked into the Children and Young People’s Plan and the Joint Area Review (JAR) Action Plan. Therefore the Plan was also being brought to the Children and Young People’s Strategic Partnership Board for consideration.

There was agreement that there should be a increased focus on the impact of drug and alcohol abuse by parents had upon children. The Board was advised that work was being carried out by the Drug and Alcohol Action Team (DAAT) to determine how it could feed into the work of the Local Safeguarding Children Board (LSCB) and the JAR Action Plan.

The Chair noted that the Community and Voluntary Sector played a crucial role in tackling drug misuse and was often a the first point of contact for people. There was agreement that the Board should receive a report at its next meeting setting out implications of the new Welfare Reform Act upon treatment services.

RESOLVED:

1. That the report be noted.

2. That the Board should receive a report at its next meeting setting out implications of the new Welfare Reform Act upon treatment services.