Cambridgeshire DAAT Briefing - December 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

The Cambridgeshire DAAT Audit is now available on www.cambsdaat.org, issued highlighted within this document will be covered in the 3 year DAAT strategy, currently being developed.

• Tricia Ager is the DAAT Administrator, covering maternity leave.
• Drink Spiking posters have been distributed to all licensed premises, for copies please call the DAAT office.

YOUNG PEOPLE

• The DAAT commended the work of the Young Peoples Substance Misuse Treatment Team and are impressed with its progress over the last 12 months.
• The Young Peoples Substance Misuse Handbook will be ready by the end of March, if you would like a copy once printed, please contact Veronica.
• Parents Drug Awareness Sessions are currently being held in workplace setting at lunchtime around the county. The sessions are aimed at parents who are interested and would like to know more. If you would like one held in your workplace, please contact Vickie.
• “Supporting Professionals” substance misuse training for those working with young people is being rolled out. If you work with young people and would like to know more, please contact PSHE on 01480 375 171.

COMMUNITIES

• The Drug Interventions Programme, getting people out of drug related crime and into treatment, is starting to see clients. Staff are being recruited, premises are being identified and the programme will be officially launched in February 2005. There will be a pre-arrest team in both central and southern divisions, similar to the “Nene” project on Peterborough.
• A report on the “Housing Needs of People with Substance Misuse Problems” has been published and the recommendations are being implemented. For a copy of the full report please contact Vickie.
• The dangers of drug driving will be highlighted during a publicity campaign in March 2005, in conjunction with the road safety partnership.

TREATMENT

• Some of the key priorities for treatment for 2005/06 will be:
• Providing substance misuse training for secondary care staff, including general medical and psychiatry staff and ensuring Primary Care, general medical and housing staff have the pathways for screening, assessment and referral to treatment.
• Build capacity within Tier 2 Open access and harm minimisation services to manage the increase in referrals and to enable the transition of clients both up and down the tiers of provision.
• Support treatment services in providing accessible and client centred treatment for all.
• Increase the percentage of clients treated within a Shared Care system.
• To introduce an accessible directory of meaningful activities for clients to engage with, enabling them to have an individual structured day care programme.
• Review inpatient detoxification arrangements.
• Develop further user involvement.
• Develop systems to enable feedback from carers regarding the treatment system.
• The DAAT were praised on the improvement within the Treatment system over the past 12 months by the NTA and strategic Health Authority at the 6 monthly reviews.
• Overdose prevention training for drug users and their carers continues across the county, with excellent results.

AVAILABILITY

• The police and County Council are working together on a Local Public Service Agreement (LPSA) to tackle Class A drug supply. Targets are currently being negotiated. Initially there is £100,000 available over 3 years, followed by £1 million if stretch targets are met.
• There will be a focus on the closure of premises used for using and/or supplying Class A drugs, which are also affecting the local community. Residents can be evicted for up to 3 months. DAAT partners are working together to ensure those living at the premises receive support for their drug misuse and other necessary support.

ALCOHOL

• The DAAT have agreed to develop a Cambridgeshire Alcohol Strategy, which will address the key themes from the National Alcohol Strategy.
• The police will be working with other agencies to tackle nighttime disorder across the county over the festive period. This will build on a successful operation over 3 weeks in the summer during which alcohol related violence reduced when compared with the previous summer.

Next DAAT Meetings:

Friday 11 th March 2005 Hunts District Council
Tuesday 7 th June 2005 Bailey Rooms, Shire Hall
Tuesday 6 th September 2005 Hunts Professional Development Centre
Monday 5 th December 2005 Venue TBA

DAAT OFFICERS

DAAT Co-ordinator
Vickie Crompton
Vicky.crompton@cambridgeshire.gov.uk
01223 718588

Joint Commissioning Manager
Jane Davis
jane.davis@cambcity-pct.nhs.uk
01223 885 722

DAAT Information Officer
Laura Hutson
laura.hutson@cambridgeshire.gov.uk
01223 713 067

DAAT Administrator
Tricia Ager
tricia.ager@cambridgeshire.gov.uk
01223 718 858

Young Peoples Co-ordinator
Veronica Callanan
veronica.callanan@cambridgeshire.gov.uk
01223 713 067

Community Support Worker
Lucas Oliver
lucas.oliver@cambridgeshire.gov.uk
01223 713 067

Commissioning Support
Vacant

Needle Exchange Co-ordinator
Joan Kempster
Joan.kempster@cambsmh.nhs.uk

DIP Project Manager
Emma Pawson
Emma.pawson@cambridgeshire.gov.uk
01223 713 067