Health Improvement Programme for
Doncaster 2000 - 2003

Strategic Direction

To reduce the harmful effects of drug use on individuals, families and communities through establishing a shared vision for the future and moving from aspiration to action.

To develop services of excellence for education, prevention and management of alcohol related problems using multi-agency co-ordinated approaches.

Targets

• To develop services so that 15% more problem drug misusers per health authority, and 10% more from local authorities receiving a specific grant, are accessing drug treatment services by March 2001.
• To provide targeted prevention activity for at least 30% of young people most vulnerable to drug misuse, to contribute to the national target of reducing class A drug use among 11-16 year olds by 20% by 2002 and among under 25 year olds by 25% by 2005.

General Commentary

Drugs. Drug abuse is a very serious problem in the UK and similarly in Doncaster. Illegal drugs are more widely available than ever before and children are increasingly exposed to them. Drugs are a threat to health, a threat on the streets and a serious threat to communities because of drug related crime. Drug use in Doncaster, although consistent with other similar areas, is increasing significantly whilst the age of first use is decreasing. Drug use does not occur in isolation and links with many other health related issues.

Tackling drug abuse in Doncaster is co-ordinated through the Drug Action Team / Drug Reference Group structure. These are formed of a partnership of agencies that have adopted a common strategic approach and work together in implementing a wide range of services and initiatives to deliver the strategy.

Alcohol. Information on the current extent of alcohol misuse in Doncaster is a challenge as the problems resulting from alcohol are frequently recorded under the presenting medical condition and the contribution of alcohol as a possible causal factor is missed. The alcohol strategy recognises this and there are efforts being made across partner agencies to address the problem.

A key finding from the Trent Health Lifestyle Survey was that 14% of respondents often or occasionally felt ashamed and guilty about their drinking and 11% felt that they ought to cut down on their drinking. The 1992 survey found that marital status is a factor in drinking behaviour with widowed, separated and divorced people being more likely to report exceeding weekly recommended limits.

Further information can be obtained by downloading the full text version of the Health Improvement Programme for Doncaster 2000 - 2003.

Any comments on this section should be submitted to the Theme Lead, Mrs G Stafford, Health Promotion Manager, Doncaster Health Authority, White Rose House, Ten Pound Walk, Doncaster DN4 5DJ, email: gail.stafford@doncaster-ha.trent.nhs.uk