Drug misuse and mental health

DrugScope, with the London Drug and Alcohol Network (LDAN), has published its response to the New Horizons consultation (PDF 122KB). New Horizons is the new national mental health strategy to promote good mental health and well-being and improve services for people who have mental health problems. New Horizons will build on the National Service Framework (NSF) for mental health which comes to an end in 2009. The DrugScope/LDAN response has a particular concern with the relationship between substance misuse and mental health problems, and the complex and multiple needs that often accompany ‘dual diagnosis’.

Our response primarily builds on a consultation process with DrugScope members, including an expert seminar we held on New Horizons in September. Following LDAN's merger with DrugScope in March 2009 its 200 strong membership of London-based drug and alcohol agencies has also provided invaluable feedback into our key policy work, including New Horizons.

For more information on our New Horizons work contact info@drugscope.org.uk

Can you help DrugScope to improve access to psychological therapies?

DrugScope is working to improve links between the drug treatment sector and the Government’s £200 million programme Improving Access to Psychological Therapies (or IAPT). We know that a high proportion of people in drug and alcohol services experience depression or anxiety, but are they accessing IAPT therapists who can help them with these issues?

We are interested in hearing about your experience with IAPT – including any experiences of working with the IAPT programme to facilitate effective working arrangements between drug and alcohol, IAPT services and other local stakeholders. Potentially, these could be showcased nationally by IAPT in supporting the development of best practice.

If you have experience of working with a local IAPT initiative, or any other comments on the IAPT programme we would be interested in hearing from you. Please contact Carlita McKnight on 020 7520 7558 or alternatively email at carlitam@drugscope.org.uk

For further information on the IAPT programme, including pathfinder projects in your area, please go to the IAPT website at www.iapt.nhs.uk

DrugScope evidence to Royal College of Psychiatrists inquiry on suicide and self-harm

DrugScope gave oral evidence to an inquiry on suicide and self-harm chaired by Lord Alderdice at the House of Lords on 8 May, and made a written submission to the Royal College of Psychiatrists. DrugScope argued that we need to do more to address risks of self harm and suicide that is linked to drug and alcohol problems, at both policy and practice level. Our evidence will help to shape the Royal College's report on 'Risk to Self'.

DrugScope submission (PDF 114KB MB)

For more information please contact Dr Marcus Roberts, Director of Policy, marcusr@drugscope.org.uk

Drug misuse and mental health

Drug problems are often an aspect or dimension of a much wider set of problems. These can include mental health problems, a history of trauma and/or abuse, homelessness, unemployment, contact with the criminal justice system, poverty, exclusion and marginalisation.

The importance of improving provision for people with co-occurring drug and mental health problems has been recognised in policy, research and guidance documents for some time. But progress has been slow and uneven.

A Government review of dual diagnosis - launched at a DrugScope, Turning Point, Mind and Pavilion conference in June 2008 - revealed a postcode lottery in planning and delivery of dual diagnosis services. While good progress had been made in some areas, there has been only patchy and partial implementation of the dual diagnosis good practice guidelines published by the Department of Health in 2002.

DrugScope is strongly committed to an approach to drug misuse that recognises these relationships and responds in a joined up way. We work closely with organisations in mental health and other key policy areas (such as homelessness and criminal justice) on this agenda.