New Drugs: New Strategies Laura MacEwen Crew Online Support Coordinator

Who are Crew? Page 2 Scottish charity established in 1992 Developed out-with mainstream drugs field Crew philosophy: “We neither condemn nor condone drug use but believe there are ways to reduce harm for the significant numbers of our fellow citizens who decide to use them”

How is our service different? Service tailored to psychostimulant users Positioned close to scene Low threshold access to service Meets people where they are at in their drug use Doesn’t wait for people to become problematic Page 3

Stepped care approach Page 4

New drugs Incense Legal Highs Legals Herbal Highs Research Chemicals Plant Food Room Odorizer Bath Salts New Psychoactive Substances NPS Designer Drugs Novel Psychoactive Substances PartyPills

New Drugs: New Issues? New drugs, new names – can’t keep up! I’ve never heard of it! “It’s an epidemic” We have never had a problem with this group before Mental health issues are rife Injecting of new substances We are already at capacity! Lack of services Chain of those affected – parents, family, friends… Page 6

Working with someone affected by drug use…

Tools and Techniques Brief interventions Tracking patterns of use Identifying and developing strategies for managing triggers Looking at pros and cons of change

Pro and Cons of Change Benefits of doing nothingCosts of doing nothing Costs of changeBenefits of change

Tools and Techniques Brief interventions Tracking patterns of use Identifying and developing strategies for managing triggers Looking at pros and cons of change Goal setting – SMART Harm reduction

Drug counselling Residential treatment Prescription Fellowships and self help Sleep management Alternative therapies (such as auricular acupuncture) Other Treatment Options

MY CREW and Online Services

Online Services Accessible 24/7 Out of hours Remote and rural areas Hard to reach groups Complementing services and reducing pressure Waiting lists New drugs/ NPS

Accessible information Up to date for new drugs Assessment of use Out of hours chat room support Support for users and workers

User Groups Recreational users Service users in treatment Those in recovery Workers Immediate information, advice and support

MY CREW App Accessible self-help Checking, logging and tracking use Available 24/7 Free on Android devices

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Online resources Page 24 Available from the SDF website

Online resources Page 25 Forums are a good source of information

Page 26 Concise information Concise information In print and online In print and online What’s in the packet? What’s in the packet? Most commonly used substances Most commonly used substances Harm reduction information Harm reduction information

Benefits: What our service users say AccessibilityAnonymity Breaking down stigma Openness Out of hours Stepping stone Online already

Putting it into practice Case Study 1 You are a worker in a drop in. A young person comes in with questions about a list of substances that her friends use and she is thinking about trying herself: Mr White, Charly Sheen and Pandora’s box.You are a worker in a drop in. A young person comes in with questions about a list of substances that her friends use and she is thinking about trying herself: Mr White, Charly Sheen and Pandora’s box. What’s going on for you?What’s going on for you? What can you do?What can you do? What is available for you/ the young person/ her friends?What is available for you/ the young person/ her friends? Page 28

Putting it into practice Case Study 2 You are Paul, aged 21 and regularly use substances when you go out. You have tried a few new drugs but have noticed that you are using more than you used to and that your use is starting to impact on your life. You want to cut down but feel stigma about going to a drugs service.You are Paul, aged 21 and regularly use substances when you go out. You have tried a few new drugs but have noticed that you are using more than you used to and that your use is starting to impact on your life. You want to cut down but feel stigma about going to a drugs service. What’s going on for you?What’s going on for you? What can you do?What can you do? What is available for you?What is available for you? Page 29

Putting it into practice Case Study 3 You are a parent and have just found a pack of “Annihilation” in your 17 year old son’s room.You are a parent and have just found a pack of “Annihilation” in your 17 year old son’s room. What’s going on for you?What’s going on for you? What can you do?What can you do? What is available for you/ your son?What is available for you/ your son? Page 30

What you can do Face the challenges of new drugs Utilise online services and other resources to benefit you and your service users Look for relevant training opportunities Make links with other organisations Use existing skills and experience

Feedback Needed!

Any questions?

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