Agenda item

Report of the Director of Public Health and Presentation by Public Health Portfolio Lead – Health Care

The Director of Public Health submitted a report (previously circulated) updating Members on the current performance, provision and composition of STRIDE specialist substance misuse treatment and recovery services delivered within Darlington. A presentation accompanied the report.

The submitted report stated that in May 2022 the Government had published guidance for local delivery partners outlining recommended steps that local areas should take to help deliver the three main priorities of the National Drugs Strategy, From Harm to Hope, which was published in December 2021; and in response to the strategy, Durham and Darlington established a Combatting Drugs and Alcohol Partnership (CDAP) which was chaired by the Police and Crime Commissioner.

It was reported that three years of additional ring-fenced funding for treatment and recovery had been allocated to local areas in the form of the Supplemental Substance Misuse Treatment and Recovery Grant (SSMTRG) 2022-2025; funding allocations for Darlington’s treatment system were outlined and details were provided of performance outcomes.

Members were provided with a presentation by the Head of Service Delivery, WithYou, outlining the offer in Darlington; partnership working; figures for number of people supported, which showed 88 people per month on average; and referrals to STRIDE for the year to date. Particular reference was made to the low referral rate from probation and Members were informed that increasing referrals from criminal justice, primary care and hospitals was a key area of focus for STRIDE. Members were provided with details of next steps for STRIDE.

Two service users in attendance at the meeting provided Members with their personal stories of substance misuse and recovery.

Discussion ensued regarding training for children and young people in primary and secondary schools. Members were assured that the training package was evidence based and age appropriate, with the primary aim of building resilience.

The Head of Service Delivery at With You highlighted the importance of increasing visibility of the service, including signage for the offices in the town, which was supported by both the Director of Public Health and the Portfolio Holder in attendance at the meeting. 

Following a query, Members were informed that the Access Team or WithYou would be the first point of contact for anyone requiring support for drug and alcohol use; and Members were informed of the WithYou webpage, which included a range of resources and online referral into the service.

RESOLVED – That the contents of the report be noted.