Agenda item

The purpose of this report is to provide an overview of the role of the Public Health Team in relation to substance misuse, together with information about the public health commissioned substance misuse services.

Members considered a report that provided an overview of the role of the Public Health Team in relation to substance misuse, together with information about the public health commissioned substance misuse services. 

The Chair stated that the committee had requested further information on this issue having been concerned to receive only limited information on the issue of drug misuse, and in particular legal highs, in the report from the Safer York Partnership that had been presented at the previous meeting.

Members’ attention was drawn to paragraphs 2 and 3 of the report, which outlined local authorities’ responsibilities for substance misuse treatment services and the funding arrangements.  Officers gave details of the two service providers who delivered specialist treatment services within City of York. Members gave consideration to the performance outcomes, as detailed in paragraph 13 and Annex A of the report.

Members questioned officers about the cuts in funding to public health and how this would impact on the services provided.  They were informed the reduction in funding would present significant challenges but would also present opportunities to redefine priorities and look at ways of improving outcomes.  Attention was also drawn to the contribution made by community and voluntary sector organisations in improving health and wellbeing outcomes including substance misuse.  It was proposed to reprofile some expenditure to focus more on intervention and reducing the need for specialist treatment.

Officers were asked how the public health team worked with the Police and other organisations in order to gauge the extent of drug use among young people.  They stated that they were part of the Safer York Partnership and included in the membership of the AVANTE Board. 

Clarification was sought regarding the new Alcohol Strategy.  Members were informed of the reasons why progress had been delayed.  However, further work and consultation would be taking place on the draft strategy and this would be completed before services were recommissioned.

Officers stated that they would welcome the committee’s comments on the work that was being carried out to tackle substance misuse, as the focus would not be solely on the health issues but also the causal issues and how the misuse impacted on the wider community.  

Referring to the issue that had been raised regarding legal highs, officers stated that accurate data on this matter and the information gained was currently largely anecdotal. There was a need to obtain better intelligence on this issue, including feedback from the voluntary sector and schools as well as the Police and Ambulance Services.

It was noted that a number of issues raised during the discussions had fallen within the remit of the Health and Social Care Policy and Scrutiny Committee, although other aspects, for example drug related crime and disorder, fell within the remit of this committee.

Members agreed that a further report be presented to the committee to provide an update on the work that was taking place on this issue.

Resolved:  (i)      That the report be noted.

                   (ii)      That a more detailed report from the Safer York

                             Partnership be presented to the committee.

Reasons:   (i)      To provide the committee with an overview of

                             substance and misuse treatment services.

(ii)      To update the committee on the work of the Safer York Partnership in respect of tackling substance abuse and its impact on crime and disorder.