November 2005

Preventing future problems - why early intervention is key.

28th November
Stirling

Are we doing enough to prevent the creation of the next generation of problem drug users in Scotland?

Around 50,000 people in Scotland are experiencing drugs problems and efforts made now are likely to have a significant impact on the size and scale of the problem in 20 years time. Heading off the problems likely to arise among those most at risk of developing problematic drug use has to be one the key priorities.

Scottish Drugs Forum, in association with the Scottish Parliamentary Cross Party Group on Alcohol and Drug Misuse, held a one-day event focusing on the role of Early Intervention in reducing the possibility of future drug-related harm.

This seminar explored examples of good practice and the policy issues inhibiting effective roll out of good practice.

The findings from the seminar will feed directly into the discussions of the Scottish Advisory Committee on Drug Misuse’s sub group reviewing the current drug strategy and also into the future work programme of the Scottish Parliamentary Cross Party Group on Alcohol and Drug Misuse.

Sepakers and presentations were as follows:

Intervention at birth - Mary Hepburn, Consultant Obstetrician and Gynaecologist, Princess Royal Maternity Hospital, Glasgow (Powerpoint Version 73.0 KB) (Word Version 9.86 KB)

Families and drugs - working with children - Easther McAlpine, Geeza Break, Glasgow (Powerpoint Version 48.0 KB) (Word Version 24.8 KB)

Working with hard to reach young people - Jim Aitken, Senior Project Worker, Includem (Powerpoint Version 165 KB) (Word Version 7.90 KB)

Working with survivors of sexual abuse - Kirsti Hay, Say Woman (Powerpoint Version 60.0 KB) (Word Version 11.3 KB)

Early intervention with young drug users - Rhona Hunter, Team Manager, NCH Hype Drugs Project, Edinburgh (Powerpoint Version 194 KB) (Word Version 16.8 KB)
Early intervention with young drug users - Jayne Reed, Community Mental Health Nurse, NHS Scotland (Powerpoint Version 107 KB) (Word Version 65.8 KB)

Early Intervention with young drug users in rural context - Annie McMahon, Children and Young People's Substance Service (ChHYPSS), Stranraer (Powerpoint Version 2.63 KB) (Word Version 2.32 KB)

Early intervention with injectors - Maureen Woods, Team Leader Harm Reduction Team, Lanarkshire Health Board (Powerpoint Version 152 KB) (Word Version 36.0 KB)

Exploring the future role of services - David Liddell, Director, Scottish Drugs Forum (Powerpoint Version 640 KB) (Word Version 27.9 KB)