UPFRONT
Drink and Drugs News is published by CJ Wellings Ltd, Romney House, School Road, Ashford, Kent TN27 0LT
Editor: Claire Brown e: claire @ cjwellings. com
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IN THIS ISSUE
COVER STORY: A NEW APPROACH TO OST
10
6
INSIDE
4 NEWS Alcohol-specific deaths down; data call on drug use in ethnic groups 8 WELLNESS Individually focused care 12 PEERS & VOLUNTEERS The lifeblood of a service 13 DEAR DDN... Letters & comment 20 MULTIPLE NEEDS Get flexible! 22 OUTREACH Finding rough sleepers 24 RELEASE Why punish disclosure?
25 I AM A... Comms & digital worker
14 18
Community interest naloxone Chemsex and mental health
Veteran support
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Championing many forms of inclusion
As the country celebrates Pride in all its glory, we’ re championing many forms of inclusion in this month’ s issue. As a new report by London Friend reveals( p14), mental health issues like trauma, loneliness and isolation are major challenges for LGBTQ + drug and alcohol support services – issues that confront us in many contexts.
We’ re always looking for inspiration to break through these barriers and the SODA questionnaire takes each person to the heart of their own treatment( p6) –‘ the foundation for trust and shared decision-making’. We want to hear about more initiatives like this, so please think about contributing to our‘ Clearer Conversations’ articles.
In every context, treatment should be a partnership – doing things‘ with’ and not‘ to’. So we’ re delighted to hear bright ideas on co-designing services with veterans, people facing multiple disadvantage, and those experiencing homelessness. It’ s not the easiest approach, but as experiences in Surrey show( p8), participating in system change can be profoundly motivational for all involved.
And let’ s celebrate Volunteers’ Week with all the truly amazing peers and volunteers( p10, p12). You rock! Claire Brown, editor www. drinkanddrugsnews. com and @ DDNmagazine
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