Our Plans

In the future, we plan to more fully integrate drug and alcohol treatment in Bolton. For 2011/2012, however, we have planned separately for developments in the drug and alcohol treatment systems.

Some objectives from our Drug Delivery Plan for 2011/2012:

• Identifying opportunities to bring the alcohol and drugs treatment systems together.
• Implementation of the Digital Strategy: Maximising use of the technology to increase engagement and efficiency within the treatment systems – this includes raising the profile of the web-based information and resources available among partners, service users and the public, and ensuring the provision of information and advice for users of different drugs.
• Development and promotion of online self-help for users of some substances.
• Overdose prevention training for staff and service users.
• Continuing to prioritise blood borne virus interventions (such as vaccinating at-risk service users against Hepatitis B and testing for Hep C.
• Embedding changes to Pharmacy-based provision (some changes to needle exchange and observed consumption services) and a new data system for the Central needle exchange and Pharmacies.
• Ensuring adequate provision for parents and carers – and adequate promotion of provision. Including links to Adult Services’ Carers Strategy.
• Embedding the provision of arrest referral for alcohol misusing offenders.
• Continue targeted communication to groups of professionals – communication/education regarding the drug and alcohol treatment systems.
• Develop a “Recovery strategy”, including establishing a new model of interventions for abstinence to include increased outreach provision; ensuring access to mainstream healthcare where appropriate; expanding the types of services available and ensuring client access to other mainstream services as applicable; developing joint working protocols with Jobcentre Plus; ensuring links with mutual aid/self help groups; ensuring individual’s needs and aspirations are care planned; increasing options for detoxification and residential rehabilitation; and considering the commissioning of increased options for clients for aftercare support.
• Continue and develop service user involvement and consultation.
• Continuing to prioritise, develop and improve in relation to safeguarding children and vulnerable adults.
• Ensuring that clients leaving prison and coming back into the community receive effective transfers to the most appropriate drug service for them.
• Raising awareness of dual diagnosis (the co-occurrence of drug or alcohol use with mental health problems – for more information, click here), providing training to professionals, and developing pathways for service users to ensure they can access appropriate treatment.