Health board takes multi-agency approach

NHS Lanarkshire said the work of tackling drug and alcohol issues in Lanarkshire is undertaken by the South Lanarkshire Alcohol and Drug Partnership (ADP) and the North Lanarkshire Partnership Board.

Dr Adam Brodie, NHS Lanarkshire clinical director for addictions, told the News:“These are multi-agency strategic planning groups made up of partners including NHS Lanarkshire, North and

South Lanarkshire Councils, both North and South Health and Social Care Partnerships, Police Scotland, Scottish Fire and Rescue, the Crown Prosecution Service and the voluntary sector.

“The best way to address alcohol related illnesses is through prevention which is a major focus of the work of both North Partnership Board and the South ADP.

“This involves a whole system approach to prevention, treatment and recovery.

“A major focus of this work is to help reduce the level of alcohol and drug related harm at a community level, prevent alcohol related hospital admissions as well as helping those who need personal assistance with substance misuse issues so they can recover and live productive lives.

“Alcohol dependency can be brought about by a number of factors such as stress or personal issues, however, two of the most prominent are deprivation and socioeconomic factors which partly explains the Lanarkshire figures.

“To help address the socioeconomic factors, both partnerships actively promote support and services in areas where deprivation is higher and where the issue of alcohol dependency can be greater.”