Alcohol and Drugs

Introduction

This section relates to substance misuse (alcohol and drugs). Problems with substance use cannot be considered in isolation and should be addressed as part of a co-ordinated, whole person, approach to service provision; this client group can be difficult to engage and service providers should tailor their approach accordingly.

There are close links between substance misuse, mental health and self harm.

Drugs Orkney Adult Lifestyle Survey (2001)

• 68% of respondents felt that there was a problem with illegal drugs in Orkney.
• 33% of all respondents had used an illegal drug; this rose to 53% amongst the 16 - 29 year old age group. Cannabis was by far the most commonly used illegal drug.
• 14% of 16 - 29 year olds reported that they had been worried about a friend or family members drug use.

Alcohol - The Orkney Adult Lifestyle Survey of 2001

Ninety percent of Orkney's adult population drink alcohol.

38% of men and 22% of women are exceeding the recommended weekly safe limits (21 units per week for men and 14 units per week for women). These figures rise to 55% of men and 35% of women in the 16 - 29 year old age group.

The Alcohol and Drug Misuse in Orkney - Service Needs Assessment identified that 4% of the adult population of Orkney's north and south isles were alcohol dependent (amounting to approximately 125 people).

Recent national data estimates that as many as 1:13 of the adult population is dependent on alcohol; this equates to 1185 people in Orkney over 16 years of age.

Health Issues

Striving for better health and preventing deterioration in health will have a positive effect on all aspects of people’s lives and on the community at large. Improving health and well being is 'everyone’s business'.

A wide range of factors influence our health and contribute to our mental and physical wellbeing including employment, housing, access to services and facilities, education, the environment and ethnic and cultural considerations.

Lifestyle choices such as diet and exercise, smoking and drinking alcohol also have a significant impact and can contribute to some diseases such as coronary heart disease, strokes and cancer.

Alcohol Strategy Objectives

The key objectives in addressing the needs of people on Orkney that misuse alcohol are to:

• Actively promote and encourage appropriate and safe consumption of alcohol
• Reduce the number of people that are currently misusing alcohol
• Reduce the medical/social harm associated with alcohol misuse
• Provide appropriate support and treatment for people that misuse alcohol
• Provide workers with specific roles to work with people whose lives and home situation have been affected by alcohol misuse
• Implement legislation contained in the revised Licensing Bill.

Supporting People

There are support staff, based within Orkney Health and Care, who came into post in March 2003 to assist Council tenants to maintain independence. This team complements the work of the Community Accommodation Officer and the Support Worker for Drugs and Alcohol.