With everyone feeling so cash strapped
at the moment, it’s good to hear about genuinely effective working
partnerships (cover story, page 8). Adfam’s conference brought together representatives from all areas of family
support – not just those working directly in drug and alcohol treatment, but professionals with expertise in
parenting, child poverty, schools and prisons. They looked at issues from family members’ perspectives, and
shared knowledge and expertise. We may be looking across a very uncertain commissioning landscape but it’s
good to see a commitment to collaboration that gives essential services the best chance of overriding tough times.
On the subject of family support, Kate Halliday from SMMGP (page 20) and Sarah Brighton from Swanswell
(page 21) believe the family doctor is in a unique position to provide drug and alcohol treatment alongside regular
healthcare, while on page 12, Hannah Shead gives a working example of incorporating mothers with small
children into the treatment model.
Adfam chief executive Vivienne Evans talks about how family services are coming under increasing threat in
the current political climate (profile, page 18), but how worried should we be about changes ahead for the entire
drug and alcohol field? Read Marcus Roberts’ Soapbox and let us know what you think.
FEATURES
6 NEWS FOCUS
The government’s alcohol strategy is finally with us. DDN assesses the reactions.
8
FAMILY BUSINESS
– COVER STORY
The importance of supporting families and parents was a sentiment echoed by speakers from all
areas of family support at Adfam’s conference, as DDN reports.
12 BABY BONDING BOON
A mother-and-baby rehab can prove a positive experience for clients and staff alike, explains
Trevi House’s Hannah Shead.
14
FRONTLINE CREW
Jeremy Adderley reports from the inaugural Crew Substance Use Symposium.
16 DUAL DYNAMISM
Kim Johnson describes how Helping Groups to Grow is tackling the problems faced by people with
dual diagnosis.
18
FAMILY FAVOURITE
Adfam chief executive Vivienne Evans talks to David Gilliver about the challenges facing family
support in a world of tight budgets and political change.
20 TREATMENT HUB
Ignore primary care based drug and alcohol treatment at your peril, says Kate Halliday.
21 RECOVERY IN PRACTICE
Putting people in charge of their recovery and actively working with their GPs, family and friends is
a logical way forward, writes Sarah Brighton.
REGULARS
4 NEWS ROUND-UP
: Government commits to alcohol minimum pricing • ‘Mexxy’ banned under temporary
drug order • Successful treatment programmes ‘cut offending by half’ • Liver disease deaths in England up
25 per cent in less than a decade • News in brief.
7
LEGAL LINE
:
Release solicitor Kirstie Douse answers your legal questions. This issue: can a sex worker
legally work from home?
7 MEDIA SAVVY
:
Who’s been saying what..?
10 ENTERPRISE CORNER
:
Amar Lodhia looks at the power of the collective.
10
LETTERS
:
GPs need a reality check; TWS special issue; rehab closure a travesty; NTA treatment figures.
11 POST-ITS FROM PRACTICE
: Pharmacists are unsung heroes, says Dr Chris Ford.
13 VOICES OF RECOVERY
:
Family members can grow recovery together, says Alistair Sinclair.
22 SOAPBOX:
With turbulent change ahead we should resist the urge to start polarising the agenda, says
Marcus Roberts of DrugScope.
THROUGHOUT THE MAGAZINE:
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Family ties
Services can gain much from sticking together
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