Have your say on alcohol and drugs misuse

RESIDENTS and organisations are being encouraged to have their say as the county council looks at reducing alcohol and drugs misuse in Leicestershire.

A consultation period, launched recently is seeking views on a proposed new Substance Misuse strategy, which will see the authority look at working with partners to improve the wellbeing of the county’s population.

Residents are being asked to share their views, which will shape the council’s key priorities to help reduce the harm caused by substance abuse. These include:

■ Raising awareness of the harms of drug and alcohol misuse;

■ Developing a coordinated approach to identify individuals exposed to the effects of drug and/or alcohol misuse;

■ Developing a suitable approach to the provision of drug and alcohol treatment and recovery services;

■ Reducing the number of those who become ill as a result of substance misuse;

■ Ensuring a stronger partnership approach is taken to respond to issues relating to substance misuse.

Councillor Lee Breckon, cabinet member for health and wellbeing, said: “We understand the county’s current and future substance misuse needs and that is why the new strategy has been drafted.

“We are committed to reducing the harms caused by alcohol and drug misuse, and we believe the strategy will improve the wellbeing of people living in Leicestershire.”

Feedback can be submitted via email at phdrugsandalcohol@leics.gov.uk

The deadline for consultation responses is midnight on Monday, 2 September.