Substance Misuse
Drug / Ex-Drug Users' Forum (DUF)
Priority Action Plan 2009/10
The issues of priority are:
- Full implementation of Clinical Guidelines and NICE Guidance alongside Models of Care. Support the CDP in the implementation of the recommendations of the Treatment System Review; ensuring that proposals are turned into real actions and that involvement is integral to the process.
- Advocacy - Campaign for the commissioning of advocacy provision within the new treatment system both to empower people in the current system and help to support clients during any transition period. Particular emphasis should be made for people with low literacy skills or where there first language isn’t English.
- Aftercare/ Continuing Care – Equitable access to ongoing support made available for all service users regardless of whether they are using, on substitute prescribing, or free from substances. Continue to highlight the non drug issues affecting service users, including loneliness, isolation and boredom, as well as practical issues like debt, benefits etc. Support development of out of hours and weekend coverage and structured activities to maximise the chances of stability for service users.
- Harm Reduction - To promote all aspects of harm reduction and ensure drug users have access to up to date information in relation to harm reduction advice: particularly Blood Borne Viruses and septicaemia. Support the implementation of the Harm Reduction Strategy across Nottingham. Support the implementation of dry blood spot testing and standardisation of counselling on offer to all.
- Training – Provide relevant training and funding to assist members in attending partnership meetings and conferences. Actively seek opportunities to provide training and development opportunities for members. To promote cross training of general support workers, staff and service users. E.g. housing and substance misuse staff. Push for training function to be provided in the City and service users to be part of workforce strategies.
- Housing - Advocate for more suitable and supported accommodation for recovering drug addicts. Access to emergency accommodation, second stage provision, including accessible abstinent housing and move on support in appropriate locations.
- Children and Families – Investigate issues around access to treatment for parents and the provision of child care. Maintain pressure for family support in treatment, including couples counselling, the involvement of carers in a client’s treatment if appropriate and support services for carers in their own right, including children who are the carers of a drug user. Work to support the move toward family friendly services.
- Diversity and Equality – Continue to promote, within our own practice and across the treatment sector. Continue to support specific initiatives around BME and LGBT communities. Continue to engage in a programme of Speak Out events to reach out to groups and individuals across all communities that do not easily engage. Look at literacy and numeracy of members as a barrier to accessing treatment and involvement.
- Mental Health/Dual Diagnosis. Continue to support the Dual Diagnosis Forum and monitor the implementation of the Nottinghamshire Dual Diagnosis Strategy.
- Service User Involvement. Continue to press statutory organisations, partnerships and services for the full involvement of their service users, in line with the requirements of Section 11 of the Health and Social Care Act 2001 (now S242 of the consolidated NHS Act 2006). To support new service user led initiatives where appropriate and to share the experience of the forum with other areas wishing to set up involvement projects.
- Prisons –Work with those providing drug treatment in prisons and help to support involvement structures as close as possible to those available to service users outside. Support efforts around transitions into and out of prison including mentoring and harm reduction.
- Welfare Reforms – Offer assistance and advice to Job Centre Plus coordinators in implementing new legislation where it is seen to be fair. Monitor new proposals as to their practical worth in tackling lack of opportunity.
