Service worker

“I think poor political decisions were made by reducing the funding to the ADPś around 2014/15 and this was followed by almost yearly increases in drug related deaths. As a frontline worker in the city centre, I work with people that are often entrenched in homelessness, substance use, prison, involvement in prostitution and regular hospital admissions. A significant cohort of this group of people suffer regular accidental and sometimes fatal drug overdose. It is well established that the risk of fatal overdose increases when leaving prison. I am not aware of any service provision for those that are on PRISON REMAND which is a very common occurrence for many people with drug related issues. (male or female prisons). I think it is imperative that there needs to be Link Workers based within the prison remand system using a targeted approach. It would need to provide a quick response to need given the nature of the prison remand system. I think one of the most effective ways to reduce drug related deaths is through the provision of four crisis intervention centres (North, South, East and West of Glasgow) Many people in Glasgow are leading complex lives, exacerbated by poor and dangerous substance use practices (particularly people who inject substances). This and their wider psycho- social needs are often too high to be met immediately by their local ADRS and require a quick response intervention in a safe, short term residential setting that provides 24 hour medical and social care over a minimum 21 day period. I would like to see at least one of these crisis intervention units designed for women only, and where possible, with their children, as mothers are the main caregivers. The design of a womenś crisis intervention unit would clearly need to differ in terms of resources. It is vital that the staff within these crisis units are highly skilled, person centred and motivated.”