WithYou

Did you know we're also on Facebook and Instagram? You can follow us via the links below 👇 Facebook 👉 https://lnkd.in/eu3aQ-V2 Instagram 👉 https://lnkd.in/dmsp6S-e

Our policy team work tirelessly to engage with MPs and support change that will make a difference on a national scale

This week Dame Carol Black, author of the 2021 Independent Review of Drugs, attended a showcase of the STRIDE partnership in Darlington, a service we run in collaboration with Darlington Borough Council and Recovery Connections. Along with Andrew Brown, Head of Drug & Alcohol Improvement Support at OHID, she was shown around both the Tubwell and Conscliffe Road sites by our CEO, Simon Phillips and Dot Smith, CEO at Recovery Connections. At the Tubwell site she visited the on-site dispensary, heard about our work in relation to harm reduction and met with several teams including the access team and assertive outreach. Then she walked to our Coniscliffe Road site for lunch with clients, staff and Darlington councillors, provided by Recovery Connections Fork on the Road van; a social enterprise which offers opportunities for those out of work to gain valuable skills and experience. Both Dame Carol Black and Andrew Brown also met with the STRIDE partnership managers to discuss the current issues facing substance misuse services in 2024 and beyond. The final session, led by Recovery Connections, saw members of the recovery community share their powerful, unique journeys with all of those present. We thank Dame Carol Black, those who shared their recovery journeys and everyone in attendance for joining us for the day and were encouraged by positive and robust discussions about the STRIDE service, the partnership approach, continuity of care and the young persons service.

When talking to a young person about drugs, it's easy to get it wrong. Understanding what not to do can make all the difference in fostering an open, honest conversation. Our latest guide offers insights into both the pitfalls to avoid and the strategies that work best. #YouthSupport #DrugAwareness #EffectiveCommunication #HarmReduction

If you've not spoken to your child about using drugs yet, what has been the main barrier for you?

During the summer, Olly Dickinson came to our WithYou service in Dunoon to meet our incredible client Madeline and find out how my colleagues are helping people to overcome challenges with alcohol. I am so grateful to Olly and STV Group plc for taking the time to listen to their experiences and report on this topic in such a sensitive manner. The result? Not one, not two, but three days of coverage - including top stories on Monday and Tuesday evening news. I have popped links in the comments if you want to watch the reports 📺 This approach has given Scotland's difficult relationship with alcohol the space it needs and has shown STV's far-reaching audience that support that is available and recovery is possible.

Meet Graeme. He began drinking heavily after losing his “Granda” 10 years ago, he has since found recovery with support from our North East Glasgow service. Listen to his story.

🏁Thank you to everyone who joined us for our recovery walk today🏁 Thank you to our Recovery Connections colleagues for bringing the coffee bike - hopefully the first of many joint adventures. 💜 It was also great to have our THRIVE partners with us today 💜 Intuitive Thinking Skills 👋 #WithYou #WithYouRedcar WithYou

While minimum unit pricing has been a step in the right direction, there is more than needs to be done to reduce the numbers of alcohol-related deaths as seen in today's report. Here Policy & Public Affairs Lead for Scotland, Graeme Callander, speaks about the changes we believe need to be made.

Today (Tuesday, 10 September), the National Records of Scotland published its annual report on alcohol-specific deaths. Below are some of the key findings from the report. Other findings include: 🔷 There were 1,277 alcohol-specific deaths registered in Scotland in 2023. This is the highest number registered in a year since 2008. 🔷 Alcohol-specific deaths were 4.5 times as high in the most deprived areas of Scotland compared to the least deprived areas in 2023. This compares to a ratio of 1.8 times for all causes of death. 🔷 In 2023, the alcohol-specific mortality rates for those aged 65 to 74, and 75+ were at their highest since the series began in 1994. Director of Service Delivery, Louise Stewart, responds on behalf of WithYou; “The Scottish Government must pursue alcohol-specific deaths with much greater urgency, determination and innovation. “Minimum unit pricing is often held up as an example of forward-thinking policy-making because we were the first country in the world to introduce this measure. But it could and should work much harder. “Currently, the funds raised go to retailers and the alcohol industry itself. This revenue could make a real difference if it was instead directed towards improving and increasing the availability of alcohol support services - because these services will ultimately help to save lives. “To demonstrate its commitment to reducing alcohol-specific deaths, we believe that the Scottish Government should update, resource and reinforce treatment standards that ensure people receive a choice of treatment, as well as access to support and harm reduction measures, wherever they are in Scotland. “To anyone who is worried about their drinking or that of a loved one, please get in touch. As well as delivering services in communities, WithYou offers a free and confidential webchat. This is a great first point of contact for anyone who is worried about their alcohol use or that of a loved one. Visit wearewithyou.org.uk today.”