Substance Misuse
Drug / Ex-Drug Users' Forum (DUF)
What is the DUF?
The Forum is a chance for users or ex-users of drug services in the City of Nottingham to have their say about those services and try to make a real difference to services in the area. People are welcome to attend in their own right or they can come representing a group of others. That way we can ensure we get a wide spread of experience at the meetings and the views expressed therefore carry more weight.
Professionals are not allowed to come to the meetings unless they have been invited, so that people's confidentiality and anonymity can be protected and those present feel safe enough to express their true feelings. People can also join the Forum if they are unable to make the meetings as they can be kept involved in other ways e.g. correspondence, email or telephone contact.
The forum was set up in response to the Drug & Alcohol Action Team (DAAT) objective of involving service users/ex-service users in the development and commissioning of drug treatment services in the City.
The forum meets on a monthly basis which, wherever possible is arranged for the last Friday of the month. The meetings are held at a non-treatment venue, the Voluntary Action Centre in the heart of the City, which is a very well known location. The meetings run between 10am and 2pm. Currently members are paid a flat £10 to cover their expenses.
The meetings run to an agenda, which is dictated by the Priority Action Plan, set for the year by the group, as well as current issues and additional consultation requests from the Crime and Drugs Partnership (CDP).
The forum attracts around 30 people, of whom 40%+ are women. The forum is open to drug or ex-drug users. Professionals are can make presentations to the forum by invitation. Each meeting attracts new members, who receive a starter pack containing information about the forum.
The forum has been running since 2004; its clear purpose proving vital to its functioning and sustainability. The forum agreed simple ground rules to ensure inclusivity, productivity and credibility. The meetings are run to the same standard of professionalism as any other CDP delivery group would be.
Minutes of the meetings are written in a report style, to give clear details of discussions, and fully record information that may have been supplied by guest speakers or the CDP. This is for the benefit of members not present and to fully inform as wide an audience as possible. Minutes are usually distributed within 4 days, to service users, services, professionals and other interested parties. Outcomes are measurable, as actions are recorded, undertaken and reported back at the next meeting. Professionals have the opportunity to submit comments, responses or questions, which are discussed at the beginning of the following forum.
More than ever the forum advocates for all drug users to be involved in their own care plans, based on a fully holistic assessment, and campaigns for the right of choice for all service users. The forum remains committed to challenge any practices which are unrealistic and disempower the service user in any way.
