Cambridgeshire DAAT Briefing - March 2005

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 Website is being regularly updated, for more information on the work of DAAT, please visit www.cambsdaat.org
• A campaign to raise the awareness of drug driving began this month with displays in supermarkets and shopping centres, radio advertising, press articles and variable message boards around the county. A visiting theatre company specialising in road safety issues performed a play called "Pills, Thrills and Automobiles" in 9 schools and colleges, targeting 16-19 year olds.

YOUNG PEOPLE

• There has been excellent progress regarding drug and alcohol work with young people across the county during 2004/05, however, there is much more to be done, especially in relation to vulnerable young people, including those in Pupil Referral Units and Looked After Children, this will be a focus in 2005/06.
• The DAAT have now agreed the Young Peoples Strategy for 2005-2008. This can be viewed on the website.
• Young Peoples Substance Misuse Forums are being held across the county for all those working with young people, it is a chance to enhance and build on your current knowledge of substance misuse. For details, look on the website, or contact Veronica
• The IMPACT Project working with families affected by substance misuse is being re-launched with materials widely distributed and presentations made to relevant groups. If you are interested, 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

• An Alcohol Outreach Worker is being recruited by DrinkSense in Cambridge City to work with street drinkers across the city and support them in making desired changes to their drinking. They will work in liaison with current outreach workers in the City.
• Space for a “drinking garden” for street drinkers has been identified behind Wintercomfort. The space will be developed for street drinkers in the City and will enable them to access support and other activities. Wintercomfort will staff the garden and it is hoped this will be operational by the summer.
• The Drug Interventions Programme, is taking referrals from the criminal justice system and is working with Prolific Offenders who have Class A drug misuse issues, identified throughout the county. For more information, contact Emma.
• A multi-agency group are currently the identifying substance misuse issues and health needs of sex workers in Cambridge City, this has resulted in a specific clinic being set up for this client group at a time more appropriate for them.
• The DAAT and Community Safety Partnerships (CDRPs) have been working together to ensure the plans are aligned and that partners tackle drugs and alcohol issues consistently. The key priorities for each partnership are:
1. Cambridge City - To increase the Number of PPOs with Class A drug misuse entering treatment through the DIP. To reduce alcohol related violent crime.
2. South Cambs - Reducing the consumption of alcohol by young people in public and committing anti-social behaviour.
3. East Cambs - Reducing the consumption of alcohol by young people in public and committing anti-social behaviour.
4. Huntingdonshire - Reduce the consumption of alcohol by young people in public. To increase the Number of PPOs with Class A drug misuse entering treatment through the DIP. To reduce alcohol related violent crime. Disruption of Class A drug supply.
5. Fenland - Disruption of Class A drug supply.

TREATMENT

• The numbers entering treatment have increased from 512 in 2003/04 to over 950 in 2004/05, this is a huge increase and agencies are to be commended for both improved recording of information and increasing numbers in treatment. The DAAT target for 04/05 was 800. The target for 2005/06 is 1090.
• The numbers staying in treatment for over 12 weeks has also increased dramatically from 18% in 2003/04, to 60% in 2004/05. The target for 2005/06 is 65%.
• User involvement is developing across the county, with views of service users being taken to the Joint Commissioning Group. This is an area which is developing and progress is being made.

AVAILABILITY

• The police are continuing work to close “crack houses” (definition: Class A drugs are being used or supplied and there is considerable nuisance to the local community). DAAT are working closely with the police to ensure all appropriate support agencies are involved to provide timely interventions for those affected by the closure.

Next DAAT Meetings:

Tuesday 7th June 2005 Bailey Rooms, Shire Hall
Tuesday 6th September 2005 Hunts Professional Development Centre
Monday 5th 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

Assistant Commissioning Manager
Lisa Robinson
Lisa.robinson@cambcity-pct.nhs.uk

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

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