Cambridgeshire DAAT Briefing - September 2004

The "Cambridgeshire Drug & Alcohol Action Team Briefing" aims to provide information regarding the current work of the DAAT partnership in tackling substance misuse across the county. I hope you find this useful - your feedback is welcome. If you would like further information on any of the following, please do not hesitate to contact the DAT Office on 01223 713067.

GENERAL NEWS

• Ian Stewart, Chief Executive, Cambs County Council, has agreed to continue as Chair of the DAAT. This will be reviewed in September 2005.
• The final draft of the Cambridgeshire DAAT Drugs Audit will be published by the end of September, if you would like to comment on this, please contact Laura Hutson.
• The DAAT are working with partners to examine how Confidential Enquiries into Drug Related Deaths can be held across the county. For 2002/03 there were 24 deaths in Cambridgeshire. The group will look at any lessons that can be learned in order to prevent future deaths.
• Jo D'Arcy, will be on Maternity Leave until April 2005, we wish her all the best with her new baby.
• Drink Spiking posters have been distributed to all licensed premises since 2002, we will be continuing this for 2004, these have been well received by pubs, clubs and bars, and are not intended to scare but to remind of the potential dangers. For 2004 we would like to link this to drug driving. Any ideas for a punchy line would be welcome, please contact Laura.

YOUNG PEOPLE

• Alcohol Outreach workers are now in post throughout the county, there are 4 workers covering Fenland, Huntingdonshire, Cambridge City, and East and South Cambridgeshire. Please contact Vickie for more information.
• The Young Peoples Substance Misuse Treatment Team are now up to full capacity and busy taking referrals. If you are concerned about a young persons substance misuse, please contact your local drug or alcohol service:
  • Fenland - Bridgegate 01945 584 444
  • Huntingdonshire - DIALdruglink 01480 413 800
  • Cambs South, East and City - The Bridge Drugs Project - 01223 214 614
  • Drinksense -
    • Cambridge City, South & East - 01223 416 225
    • Huntingdonshire - 01480 456 956
    • Fenland - 01354 650 457
• Veronica Callanan, Young Persons Co-ordinator is currently writing a handbook regarding substance misuse for those working with young people. If you would like to input into this please contact her directly.
• DAAT continue to promote the FRANK drugs help-line. If you have an event coming up, or would like to distribute information and goodies highlighting the number, please contact Lucas.

COMMUNITIES

• On 22nd October the DAAT will be holding a national conference at Huntingdon Racecourse. The conference disseminating information and Good Practice regarding the Travellers Drug Awareness Project. If you would like to attend please contact the DAAT Support Team.
• A report on the "Housing Needs of "People with Substance Misuse Problems in Cambridgeshire and Peterborough" is soon to be published. If you would like a copy, please contact the DAAT Support Team.
• The DAAT Community Support Worker is keen to meet community groups in the south of the county concerned about drugs in their local area or who would like to know more about drugs and their effects or about the work of the DAAT. If you are aware of anyone who would like this information, please pass Lucas' details on to them.
• DAAT are working with the Road Safety Partnership to develop work to tackle drug driving. The action plan will be targeting prescribed drugs as well as illegal drugs. DAAT Support Team will be able to provide more information.

TREATMENT

• There is good progress on the DAAT Treatment Plan with reduction in waiting times and an increase in the numbers of people entering treatment.
• FREE Testing for Hepatitis C is now underway at all drug services.

AVAILABILITY

• Overdose Prevention - the police and ambulance service have worked together to develop a protocol regarding attendance at drug overdoses. For a copy of this, please contact the DAAT Support Team.

ALCOHOL

• The DAAT have sponsored the Alcohol Conference being held by Drinksense at the Marriot Hotel in Peterborough on 22nd September 2004. If you would like to attend please contact Drinksense on 01733 555532

Next DAAT Meetings:

Thursday 9th December, 10.00pm The Grange, Nutholt Lane, Ely
Friday 11th March 2005 Venue TBC
Tuesday 7th June 2005 Bailey Rooms, Shire Hall
Tuesday 6th September 2005 Venue TBC