Highland Alcohol and Drug Partnership Stakeholder Day

Issued by NHS Highland on behalf of HADP

The Highland Alcohol and Drugs Partnership (HADP) are hosting their annual Stakeholder Day on Tuesday, 30 June where those involved in addressing drug and alcohol issues are invited to attend and work in partnership to reduce drug and alcohol related harm.

Attendees at the event will include the public, family members and a range of NHS, Council and Third Sector services.

Police Scotland Chief Superintendent Julian Innes, who is also the chairperson of HADP, will open the event and provide examples of partnership working that Police Scotland have been involved in, including the very successful Rock Challenge preventative initiative.

Chief Superintendent Innes said: “I have had the privilege of chairing the Alcohol and Drug Partnership during the last year. What has impressed me most is the commitment of individuals working in this area to improve the lives of many affected by drugs and alcohol.

“The stakeholder day is the one time every year we get energised people together, to learn from each other and look for ways to improve the service. It will be a valuable event and I’m sure everyone who attends will all take something from it.

Bill Alexander, Director of Care and Learning with Highland Council, will also present at the event and outline the range of work undertaken in relation to prevention and early intervention with families.

The ‘Highland Getting Our Priorities Right’ guidance for working with children affected by parental substance misuse will also be highlighted as a best practice resource for workers. 

He said said: "We have made excellent progress, addressing substance misuse across Highland in recent years.  This is evidenced by significantly reduced rates of self-reporting. 

“However, we cannot be complacent, as drugs and alcohol can ruin the lives of young people, and parental substance misuse can devastate families.

“This event will highlight best practice, and enable practitioners, young people and family members to consider how we can work together and continue to improve services."

There will also be workshops where attendees can find out more about services and projects such as the Catalyst Project coordinated by Action for Children and the Youth Action Service or Family Recovery Days organised by Alcohol Counselling Services Ross & Sutherland and NHS Highland.

Scottish Families Affected by Alcohol and Drugs (SFAD) will be attending to promote the services they provide to families; including Telehealth care where families in remote and rural communities can access on-line support for themselves.

Deborah Stewart, HADP Coordinator said: “The purpose of the event is to build on the good work already being undertaken in Highland. Throughout the day, we will be discussing what role can families play in tackling substance misuse and what more we can do to support them.”

25 Jun 2015