with powder cocaine , as well as the importance of integrating cognitive and behavioural strategies into harm reduction interventions . These strategies arguably could greatly improve effectiveness in addressing cocaine use .
Representing the awardwinning drug charity Crew 2000 was its CEO , Emma Crawshaw . She described the organisation ’ s mission to reduce drug and sexual health-related harm and stigma , while also improving mental and physical health without judgment . She provided data on the types of substances people seek support for and highlighted cocaine-specific statistics , as well as discussing the work Crew 2000 does in their offices and outreach programme , and shared insights on the cycle of new drugs .
Alongside these speakers , the conference heard from staff members from Change Grow Live and the Edinburgh Drug and Alcohol Partnership , who shared their insights into how frontline staff and services can best support people who are using cocaine and crack cocaine .
KNOWLEDGE AND EXPERTISE We ’ re extremely grateful to everyone who attended and contributed to the conference . The knowledge and learnings shared at the event demonstrate the wealth of expertise we have in the region , as well as the benefits of working together towards the common goal of supporting people to change their lives .
The insights shared throughout the day presented an overview of the challenges we face , but also a roadmap for how we can address them – from destigmatising safe , effective harm reduction measures , to creating new pathways for treatment and support .
‘ The Edinburgh Alcohol and Drug Partnership are really pleased to have partnered in this key conference as part of our co-production process to produce the city ' s strategic plan for alcohol and drugs ,’ said the partnership ’ s chair ,
The insights shared throughout the day presented an overview of the challenges we face , but also a roadmap for how we can address them .
Pat Togher . ‘ The speakers and the participants shared a vast amount of experience and knowledge , concerns and hope . We will be using the learning and the inspiration from the event to inform how we can respond to those affected by their own or other ’ s use of cocaine in the city .’
‘ With cocaine playing a part in an increasing number of drugrelated deaths , this conference on cocaine trends and treatment was very helpful as we look at how we can support people who have been impacted by cocaine and other stimulants ,’ added Christina McKelvie . ‘ A key part of our £ 250m national mission on drugs is to get people into the treatment and recovery that is right for them and the Scottish Government will continue to work closely with people and families to ensure care and support for cocaine users is available .’
We ’ re hopeful that this conference will help to promote an impactful , ongoing dialogue between the different services working to reduce drug-related harm and improve access to treatment .
We ’ re already looking ahead to future events , and we intend to continue working closely with the sector and other engaged organisations in our efforts to reduce people ’ s risk of harm , support them towards safer choices , and ultimately save lives .
If you ’ d like to find out more about the conference and our plans for the future , please get in touch . Contact Simon Holmes at Simon . Holmes @ cgl . org . uk
Simon Holmes is head of services for Change Grow Live ' s Edinburgh Community services
SHARE YOUR HISTORY !
Working with Everyone are compiling a fascinating history of drug user involvement
APRIL WAREHAM and the team from Working with Everyone have embarked on tracing the path of drug user involvement that takes them from the harm reduction pioneers of the 1980s with a backdrop of the HIV / AIDS epidemic , through the rise of the recovery movement , to the here and now . Some of the campaigning groups have grown and evolved into services ; many , sadly , are just a memory of a newsletter or logo .
From galvanising to provide immediate support and harm reduction services , the drug-using community became involved in tackling the BBV epidemic , with members campaigning for support services , research , good medical treatment and the right to be part of policy decisions . Black Poppy magazine and The Methadone Alliance were among those fighting for appropriate treatment and OST .
There was little or no coordinated central strategic involvement outside of HIV prevention and treatment until the National Treatment Agency ( NTA ) was established in 2001 and promoted service user involvement groups funded by local drug action teams .
The dynamic shifted as local groups focused on service user delivery and organisations such as NUN and INPUD campaigned for human rights issues on a national or international level .
The rise of the recovery movement from around 2010 led to the promotion of abstinence-based recovery , and positive changes to many lives – but at what cost to those for whom abstinence was not realistic or desirable ?
The history brings us up to the present day to look at the varied patchwork of groups striving for meaningful involvement with a value on lived experience . There is much still to explore and everything to fight for .
Can drug users , service users , people in recovery , patients , advocates , activists … take the lead on everything that affects them ? Where do services fit in ? How can everyone be heard ? How can we make sure the opportunity , the passion and the action come from the grassroots ?
Read the evolving history at workingwitheveryone . org . uk where it can be downloaded and printed . It ’ s a ‘ live ’ document where readers can add recollections , comments and opinions .
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