Report attached.

Contact: Jayne Randall

Jayne Randall, the Drug Action Team Leader introduced and amplified her report (copy attached to the signed Minutes) which provided the Board with an update on the progress made in the implementation of Shropshire Alcohol Strategy 2016-2019 and the next steps.

The Drug Action Team Leader explained that implementation and delivery of the Alcohol Strategy was within the remit of the Alcohol Strategy Group which in turn was accountable to the Shropshire Community Safety Partnership.  Going forward, a joint Drug and Alcohol Strategy was being developed and was due to be published in April 2020 and which would underpin the work that organisations were doing around drug and alcohol intervention.

The Drug Action Team Leader drew attention to the national initiatives which had promoted the improved management of alcohol related harm, include the Local Alcohol Action Area initiative which supported improved data sharing between the police, hospitals and local authorities.  She also informed the Board that a Licensing Policy Statement had been produced, which, it was hoped, would reduce violent incidents and those incidents occurring in the night time economy.

The Drug Action Team Leader highlighted the summary of activities undertaken to support delivery of the Shropshire Alcohol Strategy 2016-2019, set out at paragraph 5.6 of the report.  Looking at the increase in the number of females aged 40-64 being admitted to hospital for alcohol-related conditions, the Drug Action Team Leader explained that getting the right help at the right time could reverse the damage caused to the liver.

The Drug Action Team Leader reported that since the Strategy had been published, there had been a 39% reduction in the number of people presenting to alcohol services for treatment, which was a national issue.  Possible reasons for the reduction were found to be the integration of drug and alcohol services, the reduction in alcohol only workers, and reduced funding.

The Drug Action Team Leader stated that a workshop was being held at the end of June to develop the next strategy.

Turning to the New Provider Update, the Drug Action Team Leader introduced and amplified her report (copy attached to the signed Minutes) which provided an update on the retender of the specialist community drug and alcohol treatment and the new model for Shropshire.  She reported that the contract had been awarded to Addaction, a national treatment charity.  The new service model would be a hub and spoke model, which would include dedicated homeless support.  The other services included within the model are set out at paragraph 5.7 of the report.

The Director of Public Health reiterated the importance of the strategy for housing, homelessness and mental health.  In response to a query the Drug Action Team Leader confirmed that she was confident that Addaction had got the capacity to meet the demand in the system.  In response to a further query in relation to why unmet need was recorded, the Drug Action Team Leader reported that of 2,792 people presenting to alcohol services, only 345 were in treatment.  It was hoped that Addaction would increase the number in treatment to 1000.

RESOLVED:  That the contents of the reports and any recommendations be noted.