Report recommends new Belfast-wide approach

A new Scoping report on drugs and alcohol services in Belfast, produced by the Belfast Drug and Alcohol Working Group (BDAWG) for the Public Health Agency (PHA) has recommended that a Belfast-focused approach is adopted to tackling drug and alcohol misuse in the city.

BDAWG have made a number of wide-ranging and challenging recommendations such as: the need for more flexible and joined-up planning and commissioning processes for drug and alcohol services in Belfast; the need for more prevention and early intervention focused services; the need for more support for family members living with someone who is misusing drugs or alcohol. The report also identifies a pressing need for specialist, readily accessible services for those who have both substance misuse and mental health issues. The PHA is committed to working with key stakeholder organisations in the community, voluntary, statutory and private sectors in taking these recommendations forward over the next five years.

Dr Eddie Rooney, PHA Chief Executive, described the importance of the report, saying: “This scoping report was initiated by a small number of community and statutory groups concerned about drug and alcohol issues in their communities and the need for a more Belfast-wide and coordinated approach to tackling them. We are indebted to these individuals, the wider community, and the statutory participants involved through the Belfast Drugs and Alcohol Working Group for this renewed focus on working in partnership to support individuals and families who are experiencing drug and alcohol problems. 

“The Public Health Agency will continue to work in close partnership with everyone involved in tackling the issues around drugs and alcohol misuse by developing, commissioning and raising awareness of appropriate services and how to access them, both now and in the future.” 

The Scoping report on drugs and alcohol services in Belfast was launched at a joint workshop by the PHA and the Belfast Strategic Partnership. It also considered the potential of developing a ‘Total Place’ approach to alcohol misuse in Belfast and included presentations from visiting ‘Total Place’ experts and discussions with delegates to plan future work for reducing alcohol misuse in Belfast. 

Welcoming the launch of the report Health Minister Edwin Poots stated: “I am all too aware on the impact that substance misuse has on individuals, families, and communities right across our society. Alcohol and drug misuse is not an issue that can be effectively tackled by the Department of Health, Social Services, and Public Safety alone.  It requires a truly cross-Government and cross-sectoral approach. Local need must be identified, solutions developed at the local level, and action must then be driven forward in partnership with local communities.

I believe the Belfast Drug and Alcohol Working Group, and the report being launched today, is the perfect manifestation of the ethos of the New Strategic Direction for alcohol and drugs – a regional aim supported and delivered by the realisation of local aspirations. I would like to pay tribute to members of the group, whose hard work and commitment has led to the development of a very comprehensive and robust report. The report recognises, and is an example of, what can be better achieved by working in partnership and improving co-ordination and liaison between individuals, services, organisations, and sectors”.