Issue - meetings

The Board considered a report of the Strategic Director, Communities, on the Safer Halton Partnership Drug Strategy 2014-18 (the Strategy).

The Board was advised that the National Drug Strategy 2010 changed the focus of drug service delivery. The Substance Misuse Service was a partnership approach which improved the outcomes for individuals and families affected by drug misuse problems. In addition, it aimed to reduce the impact of drug related crime and anti-social behaviour for Halton communities.

           It was noted that the Strategy, attached at Appendix A, had been extensively consulted upon with a range of partner agencies, service users, carer groups and voluntary agencies. It focused on the strategic objectives and priorities which linked to a drugs service action plan which would become the focus of the Substance Misuse task group, reporting quarterly to the Safer Halton Partnership Board. A supporting evidence paper, attached at Appendix B, set out the context in which the Strategy had been developed. The vision, objectives and priorities for the Strategy were detailed in the report.

Reason(s) For Decision

To ensure that Halton continued to meet the requirements of the National Drug Agenda, to ensure effective prevention and treatment service were delivered locally to tackle the issues associated with drug misuse and the impact on individuals, families and communities in Halton.

Alternative Options Considered and Rejected

Other approaches to the drug strategy had been considered, including a Local Authority only strategy. It was clear that drug misuse impacted on all areas of society and a joint approach to the drug strategy was the most appropriate way to co-ordinate all partners’ responses to address the identified areas.

Implementation Date

January 2014.

RESOLVED: That the contents of the report and the Boards’ comments be noted.