Issue - meetings

This paper is to give an update on the outcomes of young people’s and adult’s drug and alcohol treatment, including a young people’s update.

The Drug and Alcohol Team and Young People’s Drug and Alcohol Commissioner gave a presentation to the Select Committee, a summary is set out below.

Drug Misuse

Parental drug use is a risk factor in 29% of all Serious Case Reviews.

A typical heroin user spends around £1,400 per month (2.5 times the average mortgage).

Alcohol Misuse

27% of serious case reviews mention alcohol misuse.

Alcohol misuse accounts for 17% of road fatalities.

B&NES Adults in treatment

More than 70% of adults in treatment in B&NES are complex & have multiple needs.

Growth in Alcohol Clients

Between 2012-13 and 2014-15 the number of clients in treatment to address alcohol misuse rose from 388 to 647 and the providers are working very flexibly to meet capacity.

It is estimated that there 200 are ‘Blue Light’ clients in B&NES costing the community more than £7 million per annum (Source Alcohol Concern). Agencies have been trained and provided information and practical tips on working with these clients.

Alcohol Concern is extending the project to support the families of ‘Blue Light’ clients and B&NES have again confirmed their desire to be part of this.

Recovery outcomes for B&NES alcohol clients

The rate of successful completions for B&NES alcohol clients is consistently high at between 46% – 50%.  This is considerably above the national average.

56% of parent’s successfully complete alcohol treatment. B&NES investment in local services has attracted a good deal of worthy commendation for its hospital alcohol liaison service, and for alcohol recovery outcomes. PHE recognises that alcohol has been a strategic priority for some time and an effective drug and alcohol treatment service is an essential component underpinning this wider treatment system.

Opiate / Non Opiate recovery rates

Supporting opiate users to overcome dependence is challenging, in B&NES currently 6.4% of opiate clients have successfully left treatment (who have not relapsed) compared to national performance of 7%.

Over 70% of adults in treatment have either ‘high’ or ‘very high’ complexity (e.g. poly drug and injecting use). There are good outcomes for other drug users in B&NES where approximately 40% successfully leave treatment (and do not relapse).

Harm Reduction

The rates for Hepatitis B vaccination and Hepatitis C testing remain much higher than the national average (B&NES is amongst the top performing areas with approximately 94% of eligible clients tested for Hepatitis C compared to 80% nationally and over 60% of B&NES clients have completed a course of Hepatitis B immunisations compared to 30% nationally.)

A needle and syringe exchange programme (NSP) continues to be delivered from treatment centres in Bath and Midsomer Norton, and pharmacies throughout B&NES to reduce the risk of blood borne viruses; reduce drug litter; and deliver harm reduction advice to service users on over-dose prevention, safer sex and reducing risk-taking behaviour. 

During 2015/16 the providers changed how they deliver NSP to the most vulnerable or hard to reach clients (complex opiate users and steroid users) working  ...  view the full minutes text for item 76