South Tyneside Drug Action Team ImprovementsAndReform

Context An estimated million people in the UK use at least one illicit drug each year (British crime survey) and around one million people use at least one of the most dangerous drugs such as heroin and crack For most people this will be a passing phase and they will not continue to take drugs or require any special treatment. A minority of approximately 330,000 in the UK will, however, develop serious drug problems, typically involving heroin and/or cocaine. This is the group targeted by government In South Tyneside, there are approx 400 heroin and crack users who are receiving treatment, and approx a further 250 users of other drugs such as amphetamines and cannabis who are also receiving treatment. Recent surveys estimate that there may be a further 250 drug misusers who are not in treatment

South Tyneside DAT Formed in 1998 as a response to the 10-year strategy “Tackling drugs to build a better Britian”Formed in 1998 as a response to the 10-year strategy “Tackling drugs to build a better Britian” One of 149 DAT’s in the UK and is a multi-agency partnership of key statutory and voluntary agencies at a senior levelOne of 149 DAT’s in the UK and is a multi-agency partnership of key statutory and voluntary agencies at a senior level The 10-year strategy focused on 4 themes:The 10-year strategy focused on 4 themes: Availability and reducing supplyAvailability and reducing supply Young peopleYoung people CommunitiesCommunities Adult treatmentAdult treatment The strategy was concerned with ensuring that drug users were engaged in effective treatment and key targets around numbers in treatment were heavily monitored Nationally, the strategy met its target early in 2007, to get 100% more users into treatment Locally, the numbers in treatment have risen to approx 650

Recent Changes 1: New Drug Strategy A new 10-year strategy was launched recently, called “Drugs: strengthening families and communities” There are four strands, developing and improving on the previous legislation: Protecting communities through tackling drug supply, drug-related crime and anti-social behaviourProtecting communities through tackling drug supply, drug-related crime and anti-social behaviour Preventing harm to children, young people and families affected by drug misusePreventing harm to children, young people and families affected by drug misuse Delivering new approaches to drug treatment and social re-integrationDelivering new approaches to drug treatment and social re-integration Public information campaigns, communications and community engagementPublic information campaigns, communications and community engagement There is also a change in the way that DATs and drug services are funded, which will have a significant impact on South Tyneside’s services

Recent changes 2: Local improvements As a result of local Needs Assessment, (including independent and user-led research) and performance monitoring of commissioned services, we concluded that the current configuration of treatment services was not as effective as required We have therefore, in collaboration with partner agencies, tendered for an integrated Prescribing and Treatment Service which will significantly alter the landscape and improve the effectiveness of service delivery A key issue arising from the new strategy and changes in funding is that there will be a concentration on Problematic Drug Users (PDU), ie: those using opiates such as heroin and crack –funding numbers in treatment of this group largely to the exclusion of other drug users

Challengesfor 2008/9 Challenges for 2008/9 The DAT has identified a number of areas of “reform” and development for 2008/9,and the following 2 years as a result of a 30% budget reduction between –Shared care – increasing the number of GP’s involved in supporting and treating drug users in the community Stimulants – having robust pathways into effective treatment for stimulant users Harm reduction – ensuring effective preventative services linked to primary and general health services which may also attract new users into treatment Infrastructure – improving the way the DAT partnership works and commissions services jointly on behalf of partners Ensure financial fidelity in the face of reduced budget and risks to DAT team staff funding/contracts, and identifying opportunities for cost-efficiencies Establish the new prescribing and treatment service and ensure it functions effectively within the local treatment system

The effect of this is that DAT’s will be less able to commission services to ALL drug users, and it is therefore expected by government that the other statutory partner agencies will ensure non-PDUsers receive appropriate services – usually jointly commissioned by DAT’s on the statutory partners’ behalf In addition, the funding is not able to be used for alcohol services – although locally, the DAT will commission such services on behalf of the PCT, and would prefer to do so on behalf of other statutory partner agencies as in most other areas The result will be to increase the need to improve “Partnership Commissioning” via the DAT to ensure that the needs of all substance misusers are met, and the impact of substance misuse in terms of anti-social behaviour; crime; and social inclusion issues are addressed Challengesfor 2008/9 (cont.) Challenges for 2008/9 (cont.)