Partnership to tackle drug-alcohol abuse

Published on Friday 17 April 2009 22:07

SCOTLAND'S first new alcohol and drug partnership to replace the existing network of local action teams has been established, it was revealed yesterday.

The new Moray Alcohol and Drug Partnership will have strategic responsibility for ensuring the delivery of key services to address substance misuse throughout the area and that services on the ground meet local needs and priorities.

A spokesman for Moray Council said: "The new Moray Alcohol and Drug Partnership is in line with national reforms which are due to be announced by the Scottish Government next week.

"These reforms will herald the replacement of Scotland's drug and alcohol action teams with alcohol and drug partnerships."

He said the new bodies will be made up of senior representatives from social work, the police, NHS and the voluntary sector and will report directly to community planning partnerships to ensure that scarce resources are targeted where the greatest need exists.

Sandy Riddell, Moray Council's director of community services and chairman of the out-going drug and alcohol action team, led the development of the new partnership.

He said: "Although some action teams in Scotland have not been fully effective, Moray's team has been recognised for promoting integrated working and innovative services to tackle local problems.

"We are encouraged by the reforms which will for the first time ensure that drug and alcohol issues are considered at the community planning table."

Councillor Lee Bell, who chairs the community planning group responsible for drug and alcohol issues,

said: "This strengthened structure will enable local leaders to work closely with the public and across all local agencies to both develop and deliver our vision for tackling drug and alcohol misuse.

"I am confident that these new arrangements will deliver better, more joined-up services."