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drinkanddrugsnews
| 1 March 2010
Right here, right now! |
User activism
www.drinkanddrugsnews.com
DATUS
‘Service users just want to take their places as
equal stakeholders in the treatment system,’ said
James Sadler of DATUS – Birmingham’s Drug And
Treatment User Service. ‘Some service user
groups are a bit tokenistic and take their lead from
the DAT. But people understand they’ve got rights
and won’t be treated as second best. If people
don’t understand service user involvement there
won’t be decent provision.
‘At DAT management level it’s a control issue at
the end of the day. There can be worry from DATs
and providers that service users will come out and
pan them. But we don’t want to point fingers. We
want to improve services in partnership and focus
on solutions.’
Devon User Alliance
‘There seem to be two distinct service user
groups, one that operates from a political stance
and the other enabling individuals to be involved
and helping to improve their potential,’
commented Tim Morgan of the Devon User
Alliance. ‘It’s being political, versus looking at
what’s there already and not making waves. Some
groups seem to be taking both routes, but you get
clashes along the way.
‘I’ve been involved in the drugs field for a long
time, as an ex user, a provider and working with
the DAT. The opening speech from the user activist
from Holland must have been directed towards at
least 350 service users in the audience, at least
200 of whom were still in treatment. I felt
uncomfortable about this.
‘If you want to influence staff in a positive way
I think you need to work from within, and that’s why
I took the route I took. In the past I expected
everyone to do everything for me, but I realised
you don’t achieve anything without putting in any
effort. Providers can’t pull out a magic wand.’
DART
‘The conference let us see how different services go
about recovery – but it also made us realise that
Manchester drug services are quite a way forward,’
reported Damian, a volunteer from DART, the Drug
and Alcohol Recovery Team. ‘Seeing the exhibition
made us realise we’d bring a lot more stuff with us
next year!’ DART does plenty to shout about, its
members explained, particularly through group work
and activities at their recovery centre. They make
sure clients are properly supported in going to
services and to detox, and try to introduce ‘a little bit
of normality’ through days out, such as picnics and
trips to restaurants.
‘I appreciated being able to discuss things with
workers,’ said Lee, who uses DART services. ‘My
views were important as I know about recovery – I
didn’t feel like a service user. It was empowering.’
‘It’s about sharing information and
communicating, working out what people think would
be best for their recovery,’ said Damian. ‘Last week
we had workshops with care managers, doctors,
service users and volunteers and everyone gave
their views on triggers for recovery. There’s a lot
more communication needed.’
Derbyshire Service User Reps
‘We did a lot of networking with other service user
groups throughout the day – it was like a clinic for
advice on all sorts of things,’ said Paul Fitzgerald, on
the stand of Derbyshire Service User Reps. ‘We were
offering support on how to set up service user
forums and extend them, and talked to people from
all over the country. It’s been an excellent
opportunity again – we’ll be back next year!’
Hi’s n Lows
‘The whole conference was enjoyable, with a relaxed
and engaging atmosphere where everyone was allowed
their say,’ said Tracey Gibbs of Walsall’s Hi’s n Lows.
It was refreshing to hear Theo van Dam’s
presentation, giving another country’s perspective
on how substance misuse can be approached. Our
stall was a big draw in the service user exhibition,
pulling in familiar faces along with new ones. We
had some excellent conversations about different
activities being accessible to service users,
something in which Hi’s n Lows specialises. Next
year, some more service user specific sessions,
such as wound care, would be a welcome addition to
the event.’
Addaction
‘Every service user is different, with different needs
– and it’s the same for young people,’ said Stephen
Biddle, a qualified tyre-fitter who spent ten years on
heroin and crack, and who now works as a peer
champion for Addaction.
‘Young people often don’t want to see a worker –
they don’t feel comfortable with them,’ he said. ‘But
if they have good support and communication they
can make changes. Being offered the right choices
in treatment and support is a massive one.’
Talking to delegates at their conference stand,
with colleague Sadie, made him realise the need to
join up adult and young people’s service user
involvement, which rarely happens. Young people
can learn such a lot from their older peers, he
pointed out, ‘from catching them before they even
get into drug use and giving them the knowledge so
they’re not curious, to making sure messages are
realistic rather than saying “all drugs are bad and
you will die”. I know myself from taking drugs that it
was fun and the buzz was brilliant, so you can’t
patronise people.’
It can also be inspirational for young people who
are involved in drug use to see people who have
stopped using and moved on, he pointed out – another
reason for more young people to be involved in the
next national service user involvement conference.
A vital part of the conference is the
service user group exhibition, where
all groups, whatever their size or
capacity, are invited to bring anything
they want to display. It’s become a
popular place to meet other groups,
network and swap hints and ideas
USER GROUP HUB