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Health Improvement - Alcohol and Drugs

About the Joint NHSGGC Training Programme

Work force development through on-going training and support is an essential part of our work. We recognise that it is one of the best ways that we can work with practitioners and organisations to support them in effectively delivering services that meets the needs of people experiencing alcohol and drug issues and alcohol and drug related harm.

Our commitment to you is to provide training which:
  • Is evidence based and of a consistent standard and quality.
  • Is firmly rooted in the experience and aspirations of organisations working in the alcohol and drug field.
  • Promotes good practice and works to improve and develop services for people experiencing alcohol and drug issues and alcohol and drug related harm.
  • Is participative and places a strong emphasis on practical skills development.
  • Creates an environment for practitioners to meet, share good practice and forge the links for effective joint working.

The trainers involved in the courses are skilled in delivering training and have professional experience and comprehensive knowledge of the topic area in which they are training.

The courses advertised are free of charge and are open to all practitioners and organisations working within alcohol and drug field and related fields.
 
Please note that although the courses are free of charge, the NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde Alcohol and Drug Health Improvement Team, Alcohol Drug Partnerships and local organisations pay for the full expenditure for all training events. It is essential therefore that no-shows and cancellations are kept to a minimum.

We trust you will find the training courses in this brochure relevant to your work, and that you take this opportunity to continue your professional development through training.

Please note we are not responsible for external website content.

Training Opportunities

Below is a list of the training courses currently available. Please contact us if you would like to add or promote any new courses.

Alcohol

Alcohol Awareness Full Day

Organisation:

Scottish Drugs Forum (SDF)

Course Name:

Alcohol Awareness

Aim of the course:

This full day course aims to increase knowledge and awareness of key issues relating to alcohol use in Scotland.

Description of Training course:

By end of session participants will be able to:

  • Discuss the prevalence of alcohol use in Scotland,
  • Recall the unit content for common drinks, and low risk drinking guidelines
  • Identify a range of reasons why people use alcohol, the effects and associated costs
  • Describe the different patterns of alcohol use
  • Develop an ability to identify the signs and symptoms of alcohol misuse
  • Understand the different approaches and support in reducing the harm
  • Be aware of the key resources and support services available

Dates of training (Day, date, year):

Throughout year, published on www.sdftraining.org.uk

Participants (who should apply? Criteria?):

Tier 1 and 2 staff

Trainers / Organisation

Scottish Drugs Forum

Adelle Still : Senior Training Officer, Workforce Development.

Adelle joined Scottish Drugs Forum in January 2018 as a member of the Workforce Development team. Adelle’s role focuses mainly on the development and delivery of alcohol and drug awareness training within Glasgow City. Adelle worked as an Addictions Education and Prevention Specialist within NHS Ayrshire and Arran for 13 years. Her role consisted of coordinating, developing, implementing and evaluating education and prevention activities in line with national and local strategies. Adelle was involved in development of an educational resource aimed at S1 to S6 and the development of the Ayrshire training calendar. Prior to this Adelle worked within Primary care.

Graham Mackintosh : Senior Training Officer, Workforce Development.

As a member of the workforce development team Graham’s current role focuses mainly on the development and delivery of alcohol and drug awareness training within Glasgow City. Graham has developed training on a range of drug related areas including BBVs, Overdose Awareness and Prevention, and Naloxone with Scottish Drugs Forum and Hepatitis Scotland, and has been delivering training to key service providers across Scotland since 2004. Prior to this Graham worked in frontline drug services in Glasgow from 1994 to 2004.

Katy MacLeod : National Training and Development Officer.

Katy MacLeod is a National Training and Development Officer for the Scottish Drugs Forum where she delivers training on a variety of drug-related and intervention based topics. Since 2009, she has specialised in emerging drug trends and in 2016 completed a research study for the Scottish Government in conjunction with Glasgow University looking at patterns of use, motivations and consequences of New Psychoactive Substances in Scotland. The study explored trends within vulnerable groups in Scotland and with men that have sex with men especially in relation to chemsex. Katy has worked in front line services for over 10 years in residential and community based settings. This work has included coordinating welfare services at festivals and events throughout UK and Europe in her role as Director at Chill Welfare. She is a member of the advisory board for the Global Drug Survey and the Scottish board of Phoenix Futures. Katy trained initially in counselling and health and social care before going on to undertake the Chartered Institute of Personnel & Development (CIPD) certificate in Training Practice. Katy’s areas of interest include emerging drug trends, harm reduction, safer nightlife, mental health and trauma.

Closing date to apply to attend (for example – 2 weeks before the course start date)

Until course is full

Time

9:30am until 4:30pm

Contacts / booking details / website etc.

Venue

Alcohol Awareness Half Day

Organisation

Scottish Drugs Forum (SDF)

Course Name              

Alcohol Awareness (half day)

Aim of the course       

This introductory half-day training course aims to increase knowledge and awareness of key issues relating to alcohol use in Scotland.

Description of Training course

By end of session participants will be able to:

  • Recall prevalence of alcohol use in Scotland, the unit content for common drinks, and low risk drinking guidelines
  • Identify a range of reasons why people use alcohol, the effects and associated costs
  • Describe the different patterns of alcohol use
  • Understand the different approaches and support in reducing the harm including being able to list key resources and support services

Dates of training (Day, date, year)

Throughout year, published on the SDF Training website.

Participants, who should apply? Criteria?

Tier 1 and 2 staff.

Trainers / organisation

Scottish Drugs Forum

Adelle Still : Senior Training Officer, Workforce Development.

Adelle joined Scottish Drugs Forum in January 2018 as a member of the Workforce Development team. Adelle’s role focuses mainly on the development and delivery of alcohol and drug awareness training within Glasgow City. Adelle worked as an Addictions Education and Prevention Specialist within NHS Ayrshire and Arran for 13 years. Her role consisted of coordinating, developing, implementing and evaluating education and prevention activities in line with national and local strategies. Adelle was involved in development of an educational resource aimed at S1 to S6 and the development of the Ayrshire training calendar. Prior to this Adelle worked within Primary care.

Graham Mackintosh : Senior Training Officer, Workforce Development.

As a member of the workforce development team Graham’s current role focuses mainly on the development and delivery of alcohol and drug awareness training within Glasgow City. Graham has developed training on a range of drug related areas including BBVs, Overdose Awareness and Prevention, and Naloxone with Scottish Drugs Forum and Hepatitis Scotland, and has been delivering training to key service providers across Scotland since 2004. Prior to this Graham worked in frontline drug services in Glasgow from 1994 to 2004.

Katy MacLeod : National Training and Development Officer.

Katy MacLeod is a National Training and Development Officer for the Scottish Drugs Forum where she delivers training on a variety of drug-related and intervention based topics. Since 2009, she has specialised in emerging drug trends and in 2016 completed a research study for the Scottish Government in conjunction with Glasgow University looking at patterns of use, motivations and consequences of New Psychoactive Substances in Scotland. The study explored trends within vulnerable groups in Scotland and with men that have sex with men especially in relation to chemsex. Katy has worked in front line services for over 10 years in residential and community based settings. This work has included coordinating welfare services at festivals and events throughout UK and Europe in her role as Director at Chill Welfare. She is a member of the advisory board for the Global Drug Survey and the Scottish board of Phoenix Futures. Katy trained initially in counselling and health and social care before going on to undertake the Chartered Institute of Personnel & Development (CIPD) certificate in Training Practice. Katy’s areas of interest include emerging drug trends, harm reduction, safer nightlife, mental health and trauma.

Closing date to apply to attend (for example – 2 weeks before the course start date)

  • Until course is full

Time

  • 9.30am or 1.30pm course

Contacts / booking details / website

Venue

Oh Lila

Organisation

  • Alcohol Focus Scotland

Course Name

  • Oh Lila – a learning resource for pre – school aged children

Aim of the course

The course explores the key themes of the Oh Lila resource and how it relates to building resilience in children. Oh Lila is linked to the curriculum for excellence with a particular focus on Health & Wellbeing.

On completing training learners will:

  • Have enhanced awareness and understanding of the problems caused by alcohol in Scotland
  • Be more aware of early years policies and strategies
  • Be able to identify ways to confidently use Oh Lila
  • Be more confident in managing disclosures

Description of Training course

Oh Lila is a flexible resource which aims to build resilience and protective factors in young children, helping them to explore their emotions, develop social skills and identify trusted adults. The 4 hr workshop provides learners with an interactive and engaging experience.

Dates of training (Day, date, year)

Throughout year, available from training@alcohol-focus-scotland.org.uk

Participants (who should apply? Criteria?)

Target group – Nursery workers and practitioners working with children of pre-school age (3-5yrs) to help them to identify trusted adults and understand that asking for help is a positive behaviour.  

Min/max participants – Min 6 and max of 18

Trainers / organisation

Alcohol Focus Scotland is the national charity working to prevent and reduce alcohol-related harm.

We want to reduce the impact of alcohol on individuals, families, communities and Scotland as a whole.

We want to see fewer people have their health damaged or lives cut short due to alcohol, fewer children and families suffering as a result of other people’s drinking, and communities free from alcohol-related crime and violence.

Closing date to apply to attend (for example – 2 weeks before the course start date)

  • Until course is full

Time

  • Training is delivered over 4 hours – usually 9.00am – 1.00pm or 1.00pm – 5.00pm

Contacts / booking details / website

Venue

Rory

Organisation

  • Alcohol Focus Scotland

Course Name

  • Rory – using the Rory resource in Schools

Aim of the course

  • Learners will enhance their awareness and understanding of the problems caused by alcohol in Scotland;
  • have a greater awareness of the impact of harmful parental drinking on children and families;
  • more confidence to respond to children who are or may be affected by parental drinking.

Description of Training course

The training explores the Rory storybook and resource pack, which aims to build resilience and protective factors in children.  The pack comes with a range of age appropriate lesson plans and activities which focus on exploring relationships, development of problem solving and communication skills. 

Dates of training (Day, date, year)

Throughout year, available from training@alcohol-focus-scotland.org.uk 

Participants (who should apply? Criteria?)

Primary school staff (P1-7) who would like to learn more about Rory and how it can be used with children aged five to eleven years, building resilience and increasing social & emotional wellbeing.  

Trainers / organisation

Alcohol Focus Scotland is the national charity working to prevent and reduce alcohol-related harm.

We want to reduce the impact of alcohol on individuals, families, communities and Scotland as a whole.

We want to see fewer people have their health damaged or lives cut short due to alcohol, fewer children and families suffering as a result of other people’s drinking, and communities free from alcohol-related crime and violence. 

Closing date to apply to attend (for example – 2 weeks before the course start date)

  • Until course is full 

Time

  • This is a 4hr course delivered over 2 x 2hr sessions, usually 4pm-6pm.

Contacts / booking details / website

Venue

Glasgow Council on Alcohol – Alcohol Brief Intervention

Organisation

  • Glasgow Council on Alcohol

Course Name

  • ABI Skills Development

Aim of the course

The course aims to provide practitioners with the required knowledge, skills and confidence to competently and appropriately respond to alcohol-related issues with their patients/clients within the context of delivering an evidence based brief intervention on alcohol.

By the end of the course participants will have covered following modules:

  • Introduction to Alcohol and Brief Interventions
  • Values & Attitudes to Alcohol
  • How Much is Too Much? Units & Drinking Limits
  • Introduction to BI Theory
  • Challenges & Solutions
  • Ways In
  • Screening & Feedback
  • Choosing a BI strategy
  • Bringing it all together

Description of Training course

  • Provides practitioner with skills to use and evidence based technique to discuss alcohol use with their clients

Dates of training (Day, date, year)

  • Contact us for next available dates

Participants (who should apply? Criteria?)

  • Suitable for staff and volunteers who have some limited level of alcohol understanding and/or motivational interviewing skills.

Trainers / organisation

  • Glasgow Council on Alcohol

Closing date to apply to attend (for example – 2 weeks before the course start date)

  • 2 weeks before the course start date (Please check for spaces for any late nominations)

Time

  • 10.00am – 4.30pm

Contacts / booking details / website

Venue

  • Currently delivered via MS Teams or Zoom.
Glasgow Council on Alcohol – Alcohol Brief Intervention Training 4 Trainers

Organisation

Glasgow Council on Alcohol

Course Name

ABI Training for Trainers

Aim of the course

The course aims to prepare trainers to deliver ABI practitioner courses to a variety of staff working in different settings to raise awareness of alcohol related harm and the use of alcohol brief interventions.

By the end of the course participants will have covered and be able to deliver the following modules:

  • Welcome & Introductions / Ground-rules / Warm Up
  • Introduction to Alcohol and Brief Interventions, Values & Attitudes to Alcohol (40mins)
  • How Much is Too Much? Units and Drinking Limits
  • Introduction to BI Theory
  • Challenges & Solutions
  • Ways In
  • Screening & Feedback
  • Choosing a BI approach
  • Explore Attitudes & Harm Reduction and Discuss Options for Change
  • Discuss Effects of Behaviour, Benefits of Change & Build Motivation
  • Build Confidence, Skills and Coping Strategies
  • Bringing it all together
  • Referral & Resources
  • Data Monitoring & Evaluation

Description of Training course

Provides trainers with a set of evidence and competency based materials and instructions for the delivery of training and learning activities on alcohol-related harm and brief interventions.

Dates of training (Day, date, year)

  • This is a 2 day course – Contact us for next available dates

Participants (who should apply? Criteria?)

  • Staff working un the community who are experienced trainers or facilitators with a remit to discuss lifestyle factors with clients/service users

Trainers / organisation

  • Glasgow Council on Alcohol

Closing date to apply to attend (for example – 2 weeks before the course start date)

  • 2 weeks before the course start date (Please check for spaces for any late nominations)

Time

  • Course runs over 2 days
  • Each day runs from 9.30am – 4.30pm
  • Training days are separated by 1 week usually

Contacts / booking details / website etc.

Venue

  • Currently delivered via MS Teams or Zoom.

Drugs

Drug Awareness Full Day

Organisation

  • Scottish Drugs Forum (SDF)

Course Name

  • Drugs Awareness

Aim of the course

  • This training course aims to increase workers’ knowledge and awareness of key issues relating to drug use in Scotland.

Description of Training course

By end of session participants will be able to:

  • Discuss how attitudes and stigma can affect recovery
  • Identify why people use substances
  • Name the 7 key drug categories and their key effects
  • Recall current drug trends and patterns of use
  • Discuss effective strategies and treatment options to support people who use drugs, including harm reduction

Dates of training (Day, date, year)

Throughout year, published on SDF Training website.

Participants (who should apply? Criteria?)

  • Tier 1 and 2 staff

Trainers / organisation

  • Scottish Drugs Forum

Adelle Still : Senior Training Officer, Workforce Development.

Adelle joined Scottish Drugs Forum in January 2018 as a member of the Workforce Development team. Adelle’s role focuses mainly on the development and delivery of alcohol and drug awareness training within Glasgow City. Adelle worked as an Addictions Education and Prevention Specialist within NHS Ayrshire and Arran for 13 years. Her role consisted of coordinating, developing, implementing and evaluating education and prevention activities in line with national and local strategies. Adelle was involved in development of an educational resource aimed at S1 to S6 and the development of the Ayrshire training calendar. Prior to this Adelle worked within Primary care.

Graham Mackintosh : Senior Training Officer, Workforce Development.

As a member of the workforce development team Graham’s current role focuses mainly on the development and delivery of alcohol and drug awareness training within Glasgow City. Graham has developed training on a range of drug related areas including BBVs, Overdose Awareness and Prevention, and Naloxone with Scottish Drugs Forum and Hepatitis Scotland, and has been delivering training to key service providers across Scotland since 2004. Prior to this Graham worked in frontline drug services in Glasgow from 1994 to 2004.

Katy MacLeod : National Training and Development Officer.

Katy MacLeod is a National Training and Development Officer for the Scottish Drugs Forum where she delivers training on a variety of drug-related and intervention based topics. Since 2009, she has specialised in emerging drug trends and in 2016 completed a research study for the Scottish Government in conjunction with Glasgow University looking at patterns of use, motivations and consequences of New Psychoactive Substances in Scotland. The study explored trends within vulnerable groups in Scotland and with men that have sex with men especially in relation to chemsex. Katy has worked in front line services for over 10 years in residential and community based settings. This work has included coordinating welfare services at festivals and events throughout UK and Europe in her role as Director at Chill Welfare. She is a member of the advisory board for the Global Drug Survey and the Scottish board of Phoenix Futures. Katy trained initially in counselling and health and social care before going on to undertake the Chartered Institute of Personnel & Development (CIPD) certificate in Training Practice. Katy’s areas of interest include emerging drug trends, harm reduction, safer nightlife, mental health and trauma.

Closing date to apply to attend (for example – 2 weeks before the course start date)

  • Until course is full

Time

  • 9.30am – 4.30pm

Contacts / booking details / website

Venue

Drug Awareness Half Day

Organisation

  • Scottish Drugs Forum (SDF)

Course Name

  • Drugs Awareness (half day)

Aim of the course

This introductory half day training course aims to increase workers’ knowledge and awareness of key issues relating to drug use in Scotland.

Description of Training course

By end of session participants will be able to:

  • Discuss how attitudes and stigma can affect recovery.
  • Identify why people use substances
  • Name the 7 key drug categories and their key effects
  • Recall current drug trends and patterns of use
  • Discuss effective strategies and treatment options to support people who use drugs, including harm reduction

Dates of training (Day, date, year)

Participants (who should apply? Criteria?)

  • Tier 1 and 2 staff

Trainers / organisation

  • Scottish Drugs Forum

Adelle Still : Senior Training Officer, Workforce Development.

Adelle joined Scottish Drugs Forum in January 2018 as a member of the Workforce Development team. Adelle’s role focuses mainly on the development and delivery of alcohol and drug awareness training within Glasgow City. Adelle worked as an Addictions Education and Prevention Specialist within NHS Ayrshire and Arran for 13 years. Her role consisted of coordinating, developing, implementing and evaluating education and prevention activities in line with national and local strategies. Adelle was involved in development of an educational resource aimed at S1 to S6 and the development of the Ayrshire training calendar. Prior to this Adelle worked within Primary care.

Graham Mackintosh : Senior Training Officer, Workforce Development.

As a member of the workforce development team Graham’s current role focuses mainly on the development and delivery of alcohol and drug awareness training within Glasgow City. Graham has developed training on a range of drug related areas including BBVs, Overdose Awareness and Prevention, and Naloxone with Scottish Drugs Forum and Hepatitis Scotland, and has been delivering training to key service providers across Scotland since 2004. Prior to this Graham worked in frontline drug services in Glasgow from 1994 to 2004.

Katy MacLeod : National Training and Development Officer.

Katy MacLeod is a National Training and Development Officer for the Scottish Drugs Forum where she delivers training on a variety of drug-related and intervention based topics. Since 2009, she has specialised in emerging drug trends and in 2016 completed a research study for the Scottish Government in conjunction with Glasgow University looking at patterns of use, motivations and consequences of New Psychoactive Substances in Scotland. The study explored trends within vulnerable groups in Scotland and with men that have sex with men especially in relation to chemsex. Katy has worked in front line services for over 10 years in residential and community based settings. This work has included coordinating welfare services at festivals and events throughout UK and Europe in her role as Director at Chill Welfare. She is a member of the advisory board for the Global Drug Survey and the Scottish board of Phoenix Futures. Katy trained initially in counselling and health and social care before going on to undertake the Chartered Institute of Personnel & Development (CIPD) certificate in Training Practice. Katy’s areas of interest include emerging drug trends, harm reduction, safer nightlife, mental health and trauma.

Closing date to apply to attend (for example – 2 weeks before the course start date)

  • Until course is full

Time

  • 9.30am or 1.30pm course

Contacts / booking details / website

Venue

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Others

Multiple Risk Full Day

Organisation

  • Scottish Drugs Forum (SDF)

Course Name

  • Multiple Risk

Aim of the course

  • This training course will enable staff to further build knowledge, confidence and skills in delivering multiple risk prevention and education support to young people

Description of Training course

By end of session participants will be able to:

  • Identify common risk behaviours displayed by young people.
  • Define multiple risk.
  • Discuss positive and negative aspects of risk.
  • Identify common risk behaviours.
  • Recall the factors and Adverse Childhood Experiences that influence risk taking and identify the impact of these on resilience.
  • Demonstrate effective signposting and interventions which tackle multiple risk. build resilience and support post-traumatic growth.

Dates of training (Day, date, year)

Throughout year, published on the SDF Training website.

Participants (who should apply? Criteria?)

  • Tier 1 and 2 staff

Trainers / organisation

  • Scottish Drugs Forum

Adelle Still : Senior Training Officer, Workforce Development.

Adelle joined Scottish Drugs Forum in January 2018 as a member of the Workforce Development team. Adelle’s role focuses mainly on the development and delivery of alcohol and drug awareness training within Glasgow City. Adelle worked as an Addictions Education and Prevention Specialist within NHS Ayrshire and Arran for 13 years. Her role consisted of coordinating, developing, implementing and evaluating education and prevention activities in line with national and local strategies. Adelle was involved in development of an educational resource aimed at S1 to S6 and the development of the Ayrshire training calendar. Prior to this Adelle worked within Primary care.

Katy MacLeod : National Training and Development Officer.

Katy MacLeod is a National Training and Development Officer for the Scottish Drugs Forum where she delivers training on a variety of drug-related and intervention based topics. Since 2009, she has specialised in emerging drug trends and in 2016 completed a research study for the Scottish Government in conjunction with Glasgow University looking at patterns of use, motivations and consequences of New Psychoactive Substances in Scotland. The study explored trends within vulnerable groups in Scotland and with men that have sex with men especially in relation to chemsex. Katy has worked in front line services for over 10 years in residential and community based settings. This work has included coordinating welfare services at festivals and events throughout UK and Europe in her role as Director at Chill Welfare. She is a member of the advisory board for the Global Drug Survey and the Scottish board of Phoenix Futures. Katy trained initially in counselling and health and social care before going on to undertake the Chartered Institute of Personnel & Development (CIPD) certificate in Training Practice. Katy’s areas of interest include emerging drug trends, harm reduction, safer nightlife, mental health and trauma.

Closing date to apply to attend (for example – 2 weeks before the course)

  • Until course is full

Time

  • 9.30am – 4.30pm

Contacts / booking details / website

Venue

Varies – see SDF Training Website.

BBV Training
Harm Reduction Training Suite

The online Harm Reduction Training Suite has been updated to include the new benzodiazepine module and a series of instruction films demonstrating how to use the injecting equipment they provide to prepare a wide range of drugs for injecting in the least harmful way possible.

The online suite contains the following modules

1.   Overview of Harm Reduction (including short film)

2.   Drug Harms and our Response in Glasgow (including short film)

3.   Injecting Equipment Provision (certificated)

4.   Preparation of Drugs for Injection (8 films)

5.   Cocaine (certificated)

6.   Heroin and Synthetic Opioids (certificated)

7.   Benzodiazepines (certificated)

8.   Supporting document downloads

Prevention and Education

What is Alcohol and Drug Prevention and Education?

A working definition for Prevention and Education is defined as

‘being largely concerned with encouraging and developing ways to support and empower individuals, families and communities in the acquisition of knowledge, attitudes and skills with which to avoid or reduce the development of alcohol problems, drug misuse and alcohol and drug related harm.’

Aims of the NHSGGC Alcohol and Drugs Prevention and Education Model

It was hoped that the Prevention and Education Model would create an overarching commissioning framework for alcohol and drug prevention and education provision across the NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde area that gives clear guidance on what constitutes good practice. This would then inform the future planning and delivery of alcohol and drug prevention and education work, in turn, providing the opportunity for partners to facilitate a move towards developing prevention and education structures fit for purpose that can address issues around equity of provision, cost effectiveness and accountability.

Since the ratification and distribution of the model in 2008, there has been growing evidence of dedicated central and local structures and services with a focus on prevention and education being developed and then maintained. There has also been positive reporting of a flurry of co-ordinated activity that directly links to the 12 core elements in the model being delivered in the alcohol and drug prevention and education field through outcome focused action plans and budgets co-ordinated by these dedicated prevention and education structures.

The five key aims of the NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde Alcohol and Drug Prevention and Education (2012) Model is

  1. To continue to promote consistent practice and standards, in relation to prevention and education practice across all CH(C)P’s in Greater Glasgow and Clyde.
  2. To encourage prevention and education practitioners to agree on, and then take ownership of a baseline definition for prevention and education that will then inform universal working in the field.
  3. To raise the profile of prevention and education as a range of interventions worthwhile investing in at a local and area wide level by strengthening planning and partnership working across all Tiers and Core Elements.
  4. To raise awareness of the updated NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde Alcohol and Drug Prevention and Education Model which includes a working definition for prevention and education, prevention and education tiered model, 12 evidenced based core elements and support functions.
  5. To create a more strategic, outcome-focused, co-ordinated, cohesive, sustainable and planned approach to best practice. This will focus on the longer term structural development for prevention and education built on evidenced based approaches and a performance management framework.

The Prevention and Education Model is not meant as a definitive prescriptive guide but instead aims to stimulate discussion and debate amongst strategic planners and practitioners of prevention and education approaches. This therefore creates a vehicle of opportunity in which to explore, understand and respond to the capacity, funding difficulties and constraints inherent in translating theories of good practice into workable and achievable objectives. In doing so, this will help identify appropriate ways forward for the future planning and delivery of prevention and education in localities and across the NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde wide area.

The NHSGGC Alcohol and Drug Prevention and Education Model 12 Core Elements 
  1. Resilience and protective factors
  2. Environmental measures
  3. Community involvement
  4. Diversionary approaches
  5. Brief Intervention approaches
  6. Education
  7. Training
  8. Parenting programmes
  9. Social marketing
  10. Workplace alcohol and drug policies
  11. Harm reduction – alcohol
  12. Harm reduction  – drugs
The NHSGGC Alcohol and Drug Prevention and Education Model Tier Diagram
Introduction

In 2008, the Greater Glasgow and Clyde Alcohol and Drug Prevention and Education Model was widely distributed following ratification from the then Greater Glasgow and Clyde Alcohol Action Team / Drug Action Team.

The five key aims of the Greater Glasgow and Clyde Alcohol and Drug Prevention and Education Model are

  1. To continue to promote consistent practice and standards, in relation to prevention and education practice across all CH(C)P’s in Greater Glasgow and Clyde.
  2. To encourage prevention and education practitioners to agree on, and then take ownership of a baseline definition for prevention and education that will then inform universal working in the field.
  3. To raise the profile of prevention and education as a range of interventions worthwhile investing in at a local and area wide level by strengthening planning and partnership working across all Tiers and Core Elements.
  4. To raise awareness of the updated Greater Glasgow and Clyde Alcohol and Drug Prevention and Education Model which includes a working definition for prevention and education, prevention and education tiered model, 12 evidenced based core elements and support functions.
  5. To create a more strategic, outcome-focused, co-ordinated, cohesive, sustainable and planned approach to best practice. This will focus on the longer term structural development for prevention and education built on evidenced based approaches and a performance management framework.

It was hoped that the Prevention and Education Model would create an overarching commissioning framework for alcohol and drug prevention and education provision across the Greater Glasgow and Clyde area that gives  clear guidance on what constitutes good practice. This would then inform the future planning and delivery of alcohol and drug prevention and education work, in turn, providing the opportunity for partners to facilitate a move towards developing prevention and education structures fit for purpose that can address issues around equity of provision, cost effectiveness and accountability.

The Prevention and Education Model is not meant as a definitive prescriptive guide but instead aims to stimulate discussion and debate amongst strategic planners and practitioners of prevention and education approaches. This therefore creates a vehicle of opportunity in which to explore, understand and respond to the capacity, funding difficulties and constraints inherent in translating theories of good practice into workable and achievable objectives. In doing so, this will help identify appropriate ways forward for the future planning and delivery of prevention and education in localities and across the Greater Glasgow and Clyde wide area.

Since the ratification and distribution of the model in 2008, there has been growing evidence of dedicated central and local structures and services with a focus on prevention and education being developed and then maintained. There has also been positive reporting of a flurry of co-ordinated activity that directly links to the 12 core elements in the model being delivered in the alcohol and drug prevention and education field through outcome focused action plans and budgets co-ordinated by these dedicated prevention and education structures.

In 2011 a multi-disciplinary reference group was formed to support the review of the existing evidence base and further progress the model. The following document further introduces this review.

Resilience and Protective Factors

Adolescence is a period of transition when children are at higher risk for a number of behaviours including substance use. Alcohol use and misuse by adolescents and young adults is a major public health issue. A number of factors have been identified that protect adolescents or, alternatively, put them at risk for alcohol and drug use. These factors are concerned with different personal and environmental factors, e.g. the community, the school setting, family, peer group and individual characteristics.

Protective behavioural strategies (PBS) for drinking are behaviours that individuals engage in to reduce or limit alcohol consumption and related negative consequences, such as alternating alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks. An emerging body of literature indicates that individuals who routinely engage in behaviours such as setting limits, pacing drinks, diluting beverages, and taking social precautions (e.g., walking home with friends) are at a lower risk of experiencing alcohol-related consequences

The rationale for identifying risk factors for alcohol and drug use among adolescents is to promote effective preventive interventions. These interventions should be aimed at reducing or eliminating risk factors and increasing protective factors. Using a risk and protective factor approach is one way of increasing awareness of the need for preventive efforts targeting adolescents and young adults. It provides public health planners and other key stakeholders with information about which aspects of youth development in young people to target with preventive efforts.

Resilience theory provides another approach to preventing initiation of substance use through improving adolescent mental well-being and resilience. There is much variation in the definition of resilience although, it is generally agreed that both the individual as well as environmental characteristics contribute to an individual’s resilience and are critical for positive youth development and the avoidance of risk behaviours.

Environmental Strategies

educing alcohol-related harm in young people is a major priority across Europe. Perceived availability is commonly associated with adolescent alcohol use. Environmental strategies to prevent the misuse of alcohol among young people such as policies restricting access to alcohol have been shown to reduce underage drinking. Much alcohol use and associated harm in young people occurs in public drinking environments. These environments, including bars, nightclubs and their surrounding areas are associated with high levels of acute alcohol-related harms.


Legislation on alcohol-related harm and disorder typically focuses on environmental preventive measures, such as opening hours regulation, staff training, enforcing the refusal of service to intoxicated patrons, and the replacement of drinking glasses and bottles with plastic alternatives. Such approaches require input and support from stakeholders including police, local authority licensing staff and health professionals.

Community Approaches

Considerable research has demonstrated that substance use during early adolescence can have long-term negative health consequences. As these behaviours cross levels and contexts, community approaches have been suggested as an important component in the prevention of youth health and behaviour problems. Community approaches comprise a range of interventions and activities including community involvement, community engagement and community mobilisation which are aimed at a range of individuals from different age groups and with different characteristics, thus applying a whole population approach.

Brazg et al (2011) maintained that the successful development and implementation of prevention curricula requires seeking strategies that combine the strengths of researchers and community members. Thus, community coalitions have been suggested as mechanisms to build capacity to mount effective prevention initiatives in communities. For example, Koleck et al (2009) conducted a qualitative study on community and primary health care involvement on alcohol and tobacco actions in seven European countries. They concluded that in order to manage tobacco-and alcohol-related problems, a comprehensive community-based approach, that also includes primary health care teams and policymakers is required. A benefit of community-based prevention campaigns which involve tailored multi-faceted campaigns involving collaboration from various agencies and organisations, is that they can target and give advice to people who do not actively contact health care but may have alcohol and drug issues.

However, community projects and coalitions face significant challenges in focusing efforts and resources towards those interventions which are likely to have optimum impact and lead to change. Thus, reorienting and enhancing the efforts of existing services is a crucial issue for communities with limited resources.

Asset based approaches advocate the concept of assets as the collective resources which individuals and communities have that both protect against negative health outcomes and promote positive well being. Such approaches value the skills and capabilities of a community, focus on identifying the protective factors that support health and wellbeing, and attempt to redress the balance between meeting needs and nurturing the strengths and resources of people and communities. However, such approaches are not a replacement for investing in service improvement, with it being suggested that the move to such approaches forming an integral part of mainstream service delivery will require a change in both individual and organisational attitudes, values and practice (Glasgow Centre for Population Health, 2011).Another crucial issue is ensuring that those interventions implemented are based on sound evidence, as many communities continue to use prevention strategies that have not been shown to be effective.

Gilligan et al (2011) emphasised the need for evidence based methodologically rigorous intervention research to guide alcohol harm reduction programmes at the population, system or community level.

They present suggestions (which were supported by a survey of researchers) of the most important factors in relation to producing high-quality intervention research. Routine collection of relevant data, publication of negative results and reconsideration of funding priorities were ranked highest in terms of their importance in increasing intervention research.

A further issue is ensuring that such interventions are effectively tailored to both the community setting and target group. Holleran Steiker (2008) highlighted the value of involving youth in the cultural adaptation of evidence based drug prevention curricula and recommended that community settings adapt curricula to meet their youths’ unique needs in order to be effective, particularly those communities with diverse cultures. She outlined that many drug prevention curricula often fail to be relevant and engaging to the youth who receive them, and so adaptation can be critical in situations where the culture of the audience is unique, ethnically, socially, organisationally, or economically.

Diversionary Approaches

The link between exercise and sports participation and substance use.

There is conflicting evidence in the literature as to whether exercise and sports participation is linked positively or negatively to substance use.

To illustrate, research has indicated that exercise and sports/leisure activity participation is associated with substance use, and as such that leisure may be an important context of substance use prevention. For example, Moore and Werch (2008) examined self-reported exercise frequency and substance use among first year college students who self-identified as drinkers (n = 391) and found that frequent exercisers drank significantly more often and a significantly greater quantity than did infrequent exercisers.

Huurree et al (2010) found that among adolescent Finnish males, leisure-time spent daily among friends (among other factors including parental divorce) was a strong predictor of excessive alcohol use in adulthood. Tibbits et al (2009) examined the association between leisure activity participation and substance use among South African 8th graders (n = 3,497) and found that leisure activity profiles were significantly associated with past-month alcohol, tobacco, and marijuana use. Peck et al (2008) reported that childhood problem behaviour and adolescent sport participation can, but do not necessarily, predict heavy drinking in adulthood. They analysed data from four waves of the Michigan Study of Adolescent Life Transitions which provided data on participants aged 12 to approximately 28 years. They found that the relationship between adolescent sport activity and heavy alcohol use in later life was obtained primarily for sport participants who were also using more than the average amount of alcohol and other drugs at age 18. Similarly, children who were characterised by relatively high levels of sport participation, aggression and other problem behaviour at age 12 were more likely to become sport participants who used more than the average amount of alcohol and other drugs at age 18.

Mays et al (2010) investigated the relationship between school-based sports participation and alcohol-related behaviours using data from the National Longitudinal Study of Adolescent Health collected between 1994 and 2001 (n=8,271). The results indicated that greater involvement in sports during adolescence was associated with faster average acceleration in problem alcohol use over time among youths who only took part in sports, indicating that the relationship between sports participation and problem alcohol use depends on participation in sports in combination with other activities. They concluded that sports may represent an important context for alcohol interventions among adolescents.

Finlay et al (2012) conducted surveys with first year college students (n = 717) examining the relationship between day-to-day activities (volunteering, spiritual activities, media use, socialising, entertainment/campus events and clubs, athletics, classes, working for pay) and alcohol use. Findings indicated that alcohol use was higher among individuals who spent more time involved in athletics and socialising and lower among students who spent more time in spiritual and volunteering activities.

However, other studies have shown a positive relationship between participation in sports and exercise and substance use.

Taliaferro et al (2010) highlighted that the ways in which adolescents spend their out-of-school time is an important factor for predicting positive youth development. They examined relationships between sport participation and numerous health risk behaviours among high school students. Data from the Youth Risk Behaviour Surveys (from 1999 through 2007) was analysed. They found that among white students, sport participation related to multiple positive health behaviours. Conversely, ethnic minority athletes showed fewer positive health behaviours and some negative behaviours. Martha et al (2009) examined the relationship between sports and alcohol consumption among French students (n = 1,356). Results indicated that engaging in physical activity (whether or not it takes place within an institution) and practising martial art were negatively related to heavy episodic drinking.

Terry-McElrath and O’Malley (2011) investigated the relationship between participation in sports, athletics or exercising and substance use in early adulthood using longitudinal data (n = 11,741). Results indicated that increased participation in sports, athletics or exercising was related to significantly lower substance use frequency at age 18 and through significantly and negatively correlated growth trajectories through early adulthood. Thus, they concluded that encouraging exercise among young people may relate to lower substance use levels throughout early adulthood. However, additional research by Terry-McElrath et al (2011) highlighted an important difference between exercise and team sport participation in relation to adolescent substance use. Using longitudinal data, they found that higher levels of exercise were associated with lower levels of alcohol, cigarette, and marijuana use but that higher levels of athletic team participation were associated with higher levels of high school alcohol use.

Other research has indicated mixed results for different types of substance use, generally indicating that sport is negatively associated with alcohol but positively associated with tobacco and cannabis use. For example, Lisha and Sussman (2010) reviewed studies on high school and college sports involvement and drug use and found that participation in sport was related to higher levels of alcohol consumption, but lower levels of both cigarette smoking and illegal drug use. Wichstrom and Wichstrom (2009) conducted surveys among Norweigan high school students between 1992 and 2006 (n = 3,251). They found that those involved initially in team sports had greater growth in alcohol consumption, but lower growth in tobacco use and cannabis use, during the adolescent and early adult years compared to those involved in technical or strength sports. However, taking part in endurance sports, as opposed to technical or strength sports, predicted reduced growth in alcohol intoxication and tobacco use. Thus, they concluded that sports participation in adolescence, and participation in team sports in particular, may increase the growth in alcohol intoxication during late adolescent and early adult years, whereas participation in team sports and endurance sports may reduce later increase in tobacco and cannabis use.

Weinstock (2010) highlighted how substance use often occurs at the expense of other, substance-free, activities. They proposed exercise as an intervention for hazardous drinking and substance use disorders due to its numerous physical and mental health benefits. It was also posited that offering interventions for heavy drinking that do not stigmatise or require an individual to see a mental health professional may increase the utility and acceptability of the intervention and ultimately increase the number of individuals effectively treated.

Brief Intervention Approaches

Alcohol use has been identified by the World Health Organisation as the second greatest risk to public health in developed countries. Brief Interventions (BIs) are one preventative approach to address this issue. In fact, Graham and Mackinnon (2010) described Scotland’s programme to deliver alcohol BIs for hazardous drinkers as a ‘key plank’ of the wider strategy to reduce population alcohol consumption.

BIs can generally be described as short-term preventive consultations to detect problematic alcohol use in an early stage and to motivate nontreatment-seeking heavy drinkers to change their behaviour or seek treatment. BIs may involve 1 to 5 sessions of 5 to 60 minutes of structured information and advice giving, or counselling based approaches such as brief motivational interviewing (BMI), wherein patients’ own motivations are empathetically explored and guided toward change.

BMI incorporate principles of motivational interviewing (MI), such as empathetic and reflective listening and commonly include the provision of individualised feedback. Feedback typically consists of information about the individual’s alcohol use, peer and environmental influences on drinking, and reflects the individual’s beliefs about alcohol. BMI present normative information on drinking to correct an individuals’ inflated perceptions of the amount of alcohol that peers typically consume (i.e., descriptive norms). This tailored approach is seen to perhaps be more effective than the delivery of a more general prevention message, due to the fact that the individual is more likely to identify with and pay more attention to personally relevant information than to general information.

Education

Alcohol misuse in young people is a cause of concern for health services, policy makers, prevention workers, the criminal justice system, youth workers, teachers, and parents. Much of the prevention work in relation to alcohol and drugs has been conducted in schools or educational establishments, with school-based drug and alcohol prevention curricula arguably constituting the nation’s primary strategy for preventing adolescent drug use. Key reasons for intervention work concern the prevalence of substance use in the general population, with its social, health, and economic consequences, and the influence of factors originating in school environments on substance use. Schools are considered an ideal setting for programmes aimed at decreasing the prevalence of health risk behaviours as: they provide access to young people at a time when they are vulnerable to emotional problems and risk taking behaviour; young people spend half their waking hours at school; and the quality of experiences with teachers and peers can have a positive impact on young people’s health and emotional well-being.

Studies in the United States, Australia, and Europe have indicated that early onset of alcohol use is a predictor of substance abuse and alcohol dependence in adulthood. The implementation of effective prevention programmes is a potential powerful tool to lower the prevalence of substance use in early adolescents and to delay the age of onset of substance use. Research has shown that a developmental window of opportunity exists to intervene with adolescents who have not yet initiated or have recently initiated substance use; substantial public health benefits might be gained if appropriately-timed interventions are applied to delay onset or, following initiation, to delay transition to more serious use (Anthony, 2003).

In the past, many school-based prevention programmes have been developed and implemented. In general, three major types of school-based interventions have been used :

  1. Knowledge programmes aim to enhance students’ knowledge on biological and psychological aspects of substance use in order to accomplish a more negative attitude towards substance use, which will deter actual use.
  2. Cognitive-affective programmes argue that psychological factors place students in vulnerable positions and therefore aim to improve students’ self-confidence and self-awareness.
  3. Social influence programmes aim to improve social and/or life skills in order to prevent peer pressure leading to substance use.

There is general consensus in the literature that social influence programmes seem to be most effective, in that they more often show positive effects compared to knowledge and affective programmes (Paglia and Room, 1999).

Despite schools theoretically being an ideal setting for accessing adolescents and preventing initiation of substance use, there is limited evidence of effective interventions in this setting. Stigler et al (2011) concluded that school interventions that are most effective are theory driven, address social norms around alcohol use, build personal and social skills helping students resist pressure to use alcohol, involve interactive teaching approaches, use peer leaders, integrate other segments of the population into the programme, be delivered over several sessions and years, provide training and support to facilitators, and be culturally and developmentally appropriate.

Training

The current chapter discusses the role of training and support for staff when working with those with alcohol or drug issues, or when providing related programmes or interventions.

It should be noted that much of the research is undertaken with respondents working in primary care, and so the generalisability of findings to non-primary care staff working in prevention and education is questionable. However, there are common themes indicating the need for staff to be provided with training and support that is tailored to their needs. This does highlight a gap in the research, in relation to the training needs of other staff and professional groups.

Parenting Programmes

Adolescent alcohol use is common and has serious immediate and longterm ramifications. The average age at which young people in Europe start to drink is twelve and a half, and during the last decade, the quantity of alcohol consumed by younger adolescents in the UK has increased. Among 13-15 year olds in Greater Glasgow and Clyde who drank alcohol, the average age for alcohol onset was 12 years old and among those who had used drugs, the average age for drug use initiation was 13 years old (Scottish Schools Adolescent Lifestyles and Substance Use Survey, 2010). While social factors other than those associated with parenting play a role in determining a child’s risk for initiation of substance misuse, parents can have a significant influence on their children’s decisions about these issues. Thus, of the many risk and protective factors associated with alcohol and drug misuse among young people, psychosocial factors within the family are particularly important.

Longitudinal studies investigating factors associated with adolescent alcohol use have identified a number of parenting variables as influential in delaying adolescent alcohol initiation and reducing consequent alcohol use. These include :

  • parental modelling
  • provision of alcohol specific communication
  • parental disapproval of drinking
  • consistent parental discipline, with parents employing an authoritative parenting style characterised by warmth and support combined with rules and control
  • provision of positive parental reinforcementparental monitoring (reflecting a knowledge about their child’s whereabouts and social connections)
  • the quality of the parent-child relationship (including the level of conflict between the parent and the child, parental support, parental involvement, amount of time parents spend with their children, and the level and quality of communication between the parent and the child).

The timing of prevention programmes is commonly discussed in the literature. Given the likelihood of engaging in these behaviours during teenage years, pre-adolescence is seen to be a critical time to implement prevention programmes. Matriculation from high school to college/university is also typified by an increase in alcohol use and related harm for many students. Therefore, this transition period is an ideal time for preventive interventions to target alcohol use and related problems. Given the harm associated with alcohol misuse, there is a consensus that adolescents should avoid drinking for as long as possible. For this recommendation to be adopted, parents and guardians of adolescents require information about strategies that they can employ to prevent or reduce their adolescent’s alcohol use that are supported by evidence.

Universal family-focused preventive intervention efforts have focused primarily on teaching parenting skills such as parental monitoring and the use of appropriate discipline techniques that have been demonstrated to be related to adaptive adolescent outcomes such as delayed initiation of substance use (Kumpfer and Alvarado, 2003). In the UK most efforts to prevent alcohol misuse depend on schools as a means of reaching large numbers of young people and, potentially, their families (Velleman, 2009) with classroom-based education for children as an established part of the curriculum. The incorporation of activities or materials for parents or the engagement of parents and children in joint activities has been identified as an important aspect of school-based prevention interventions, driven by the recognition that the family environment plays an important role in shaping young people’s attitudes and behaviour towards alcohol, as well as influencing a range of both protective and risk factors (Velleman et al, 2005). The UK Government provides strong strategic support for school-based substance misuse education and for prevention initiatives which involve external agencies and children’s families, with all governments now expecting schools to engage with the wider community. Additionally, most schools in the UK have made a commitment to becoming health promoting schools, which involves linking participation to health.

A number of features have been identified which are likely to increase the effectiveness of the interventions. These include a focus on harm reduction rather than abstinence; interactive activities and delivery; targeting children at primary school, when they are less likely to have experimented with alcohol or other substances; and involving parents as well as children directly in the interventions.

Yap et al (2011) highlighted that despite substantial evidence demonstrating the important influence that parents have on adolescent drinking, evidence based preventative interventions that help parents to reduce the risk that their child will develop later alcohol use problems are lacking. Thus, other than general guidance on parenting styles that are influential in reducing adolescent alcohol use, existing interventions do not clearly describe specific parenting strategies that can be readily put into practice. For this literature to be informative for parents, the parenting styles identified need to be made more explicit as individual, actionable parenting strategies. An additional  issue is that parental participation in parenting interventions is generally low.

Social Marketing

Social marketing is the use of commercial marketing techniques to help in the acquisition of a behaviour that is beneficial for the health of a target population (Weinreich, 1999). Although there is no universally agreed definition of social marketing, it is generally accepted that it is more than mass media or public education campaigns. While overlapping with public health, social marketing differs in that it involves the strategic use of marketing principles and practices. Below is a generally accepted definition:

The application of commercial marketing technologies to the analysis, planning, execution, and evaluation of programmes designed to influence the voluntary or involuntary behaviour of target audiences in order to improve the welfare of individuals and society. (Donovan and Henley, 2003)

Social marketing applies some of the same principles used in commercial marketing for the analysis, planning, execution, and evaluation of programmes designed to motivate voluntary behavioural change. However, the difference is that social marketing promotes products, ideas or services for a voluntary behaviour change among its target audience whereas in commercial marketing, a product or a service is traded for economic gains without any concern for healthy behaviour change in the target audience. Social marketing uses a range of techniques and approaches, commonly known as a ‘marketing mix’, to help change people’s behaviour in a clearly defined and positive way. The main aims of alcohol social marketing are to encourage people who are drinking at increasing and higher risk levels to reduce their consumption and to provide the necessary support and information to help them to do so.

All social marketing activity needs to be evaluated at some level to identify how relevant, effective and efficient it is in meeting objectives. The benefits of evaluation include: more effective marketing interventions; more experimentation; improved efficiency by investing in the things that work best; better informed budgeting processes; more accurate forecasting of outcomes; more effective management of expectations about results; increased consumer knowledge and insight; and enhanced credibility of social marketing (Alcohol Learning Centre, 2010).

Throughout the literature, a number of authors have discussed the features, theoretical principles and concepts of social marketing campaigns. These are :

  • A consumer orientation – Individuals are active participants in the social marketing process. Campaigns need to be aware of and responsive to their needs and aspirations.
  • The concept of exchange – For exchange to occur, valuable benefits must be offered to individuals who must give up something valuable to gain these benefits.
  • The use of market segmentation – This breaks a population of interest into groups based on lifestyle, demographic and attitudinal similarities. Groups are selected and campaigns developed to respond to the needs of different audience segments.
  • Competition – This comes from the behaviours that targeted audiences prefer over the behaviours that social marketers seek to promote.
  • Environmental influences – These are factors outside the control of campaign designers and include sociocultural forces and demographic trends.
  • Research and evaluation – Formative research is needed to underpin a campaign’s design.

Social marketing approaches have been shown to be successful in reaching population groups and improving behavioural outcomes across a range of public health areas (although failure is also not uncommon), particularly if they are multi-modal and carefully designed to engage particular groups.

Workplace

Substance use is associated with a range of negative consequences for the workplace, with high-risk alcohol consumption affecting a substantial proportion of workers, particularly in some subgroups. In fact, it has been argued that a large proportion of the estimated alcohol-attributable costs to society are borne by workplaces. Some individuals drink before work, during work hours, or work under the influence of alcohol. The impact of alcohol on the workplace is wide ranging, including a risk of accidents leading to injury, higher rates of poor health and absenteeism, and generally negative effects on the atmosphere in the workplace, leading to increased costs for both employers and employees. Exposure to employee substance use in the workplace is also related to several negative outcomes (poor workplace safety, increased work strain, and decreased morale) among workers who do not use substances at work.

The workplace has been identified as a promising setting for health promotion. Researchers have implemented and evaluated a variety of workplace alcohol prevention efforts in recent years, including programmes focused on health promotion, social health promotion, brief interventions, and changing the work environment. However, it is generally thought that workplace settings remain underutilised for delivering evidenced-based health interventions. For example, previous studies have suggested that the occupational health services (OHS) could be more actively involved in alcohol prevention (Holmqvist et al., 2008).

There are several reasons for workplaces to engage in prevention, early detection and treatment of alcohol and drug related problems. The existing high prevalence and increase in the consumption of alcohol and drugs among active employees in the workforce has created a new challenge for OHS, as the use of alcohol and drugs may affect workplace safety and productivity. Ames and Bennett (2011) highlight the advantage of the workplace as a setting for interventions as they have the potential to reach broad audiences and populations that would otherwise not receive prevention programmes and, thereby, benefit both the employee and employer. In addition, workplaces appear to be appropriate sites for conducting early interventions, because most people spend substantial periods of time at work.

Several studies have highlighted risk and protective factors associated with, in particular, alcohol intake. Protective factors (which have been shown to promote lower levels of alcohol intake) include decision latitude (skill utilisation, decision authority), job control, social support, job pride, stimulation, paid training, job satisfaction, and job gratifications. Risk factors include psychological and physical demands, role overload, working hours, harassment, and job insecurity.

Harm reduction – Alcohol (Vulnerable Groups)

Most of the content in the Prevention and Education Model focuses on harm reduction approaches linked to alcohol and drugs, e.g. community and environmental approaches, consideration of risk and protective factors, education and parenting approaches etc. This chapter focuses on examples of harm reduction alcohol approaches for some of the particularly vulnerable groups living in our society.

This includes those individuals who are particularly vulnerable to the consequences of alcohol related harm, or whose own or another’s alcohol use can make them vulnerable to other negative consequences. For example, individual’s involved in or affected by issues such as youth offending, criminality, homelessness, drink driving, fetal alcohol spectrum disorder and domestic violence.

The current chapter discusses two of these issues in more detail –

  1. fetal alcohol spectrum disorder, and
  2. the link between alcohol, crime and offending.
Harm reduction – Drugs

Marginalised populations including people who inject drugs are more negatively affected by the gap between health needs and available services. Young people at risk of injecting, or those already experimenting with injecting drugs, find themselves isolated from health and prevention services, which increases the risks for health and social harms (Merkinaite et al, 2010).

The concept of harm reduction means that decreasing drug-related harms is given an even higher priority than reduction of drug consumption (Wodak and McLeod, 2008), meaning that individuals can access needed services, including non-judgmental and low-threshold approaches offered by harm reduction programmes. Rhodes (2009) discusses harm reduction as being contingent upon the social context, comprising interactions between individuals and environments and how this impacts on the production and reduction of drug harms. Wodak and McLeod (2008) maintain that it has been known since the early 1990s that HIV among injecting drug users (IDU) can be effectively, safely and costeffectively controlled by the early implementation of a comprehensive package of harm reduction strategies. Strategies include: explicit and peer-based education about the risk of HIV from sharing injecting equipment; needle syringe programmes (NSP); drug treatment (including opiate substitution treatment (OST)) and community development.

Caulkins et al (2009) discuss how opponents of harm reduction fear that reducing harmfulness might increase use, while opponents of use reduction fear that efforts to reduce use can increase harmfulness. They propose that both strategies have a role in an intervention approach, but at different points depending on where the individual is on their drug use continuum, the particular drug, the social cost structure, and the stage of the drug epidemic.

Appendices
Summary

In 2008, the Greater Glasgow and Clyde Alcohol and Drug Prevention and Education Model was widely distributed following ratification from the then Greater Glasgow and Clyde Alcohol and Drug Action Team.

The five key aims of the Greater Glasgow and Clyde Alcohol and Drug Prevention and Education Model are :

  1. To continue to promote consistent practice and standards, in relation to prevention and education practice across all CH(C)P’s in Greater Glasgow and Clyde.
  2. To encourage prevention and education practitioners to agree on, and then take ownership of, a baseline definition for prevention and education that will then inform universal working in the field.
  3. To raise the profile of prevention and education as a range of interventions worthwhile investing in at a local and area-wide level by strengthening planning and partnership working across all Tiers and Core Elements.
  4. To raise awareness of the updated Greater Glasgow and Clyde Alcohol and Drug Prevention and Education Model which includes a working definition for prevention and education, a prevention and education tiered model, 12 evidence based core elements, and support functions.
  5. To create a more strategic, outcome-focused, co-ordinated, cohesive, sustainable and planned approach to best practice. This will focus on the longer term structural development for prevention and education, built on evidenced based approaches and a performance management framework.

Since the ratification and distribution of the model in 2008, there has been growing evidence of dedicated central and local structures and services with a focus on prevention and education being developed and implemented. There has also been positive reporting of a flurry of co-ordinated activity that directly links to the 12 core elements in the model being delivered in the alcohol and drug prevention and education field through outcome focused action plans and budgets co-ordinated by these dedicated prevention and education structures.

In 2011 a multi-disciplinary reference group was formed to support the review of the existing model using the latest available evidence base. To ensure the review was evidence-based and up-to-date, the group commissioned an independent researcher from Dudleston Harkins Social Research Ltd. to carry out an extensive review of the International alcohol and drug prevention and education evidence base. The review generally focused on work undertaken between 2008 and 2012, unless the research was seen to be of particular relevance. Also unless otherwise stated in the chapters, the research mentioned in this document was conducted in the United States.

Key aims of the evidence review were as follows :

  1. That it updates the existing Greater Glasgow and Clyde Alcohol and Drug Prevention and Education Model by reinforcing the existing evidence base and identifying new evidence in order to inform future practice.
  2. That it draws on theoretical models.
  3. That the evidence is evaluated in relation to whether the evidence relates to short term or long term outcomes.
  4. That the review has a focus on outcome-focused work.
  5. That the review considers how outcomes for the Prevention and Education Model should be set including whether the review suggests the need for re-consideration of the core elements.
  6. To consider for each piece of work how practice is evidenced, how the work is evaluated, or how the findings are demonstrated.
  7. To consider which types and tiers the work falls into (e.g. initiation to risky behaviour, harm reduction, harm minimisation).
  8. To consider whether the work has a population or targeted approach.
  9. To consider up-to-date and innovative methods including digital techniques used in social marketing.
  10. To consider the transferability of evidence and the limitations of the findings.

Given the extent of literature available in this field, the decision was made to focus on academic research using the following stages :

  • Stage 1 – The identification of key words to be used in the search
  • Stage 2 – Keyword searches of electronic databases and publication search sources
  • Stage 3 – A snowballing approach
  • Stage 4 – Review and summarising

It is hoped that the Prevention and Education Model will continue to provide an overarching commissioning framework for alcohol and drug prevention and education provision across the Greater Glasgow and Clyde area that gives clear guidance on what constitutes good practice. This will then inform the future planning and delivery of alcohol and drug prevention and education work, in turn, providing the opportunity for partners to facilitate and deliver prevention and education structures fit for purpose that address issues of equity of provision, cost effectiveness and accountability.

The Prevention and Education Model is not meant as a definitive prescriptive guide but instead aims to stimulate discussion and debate amongst strategic planners and practitioners of prevention and education approaches.

This therefore creates a vehicle of opportunity in which to explore, understand and respond to the capacity, funding difficulties and constraints inherent in translating theories of good practice into workable and achievable objectives. In doing so, this will help identify appropriate ways forward for the future planning and delivery of prevention and education, in localities and across the Greater Glasgow and Clyde wide area.

We hope that planners and practitioners alike can now use the evidence base within this document and the updated Greater Glasgow and Clyde Alcohol and Drug Prevention and Education Model to inform and direct their existing work programmes and inspire future practice and initiatives in the alcohol and drug field.

  • Linda Malcolm, Health Improvement Lead (Alcohol and Drugs) – GGC
  • Dr Catherine Chiang, Public Health Directorate – GGC
  • Dr Judith Harkins, Dudleston Harkins Social Research Ltd

(June 2013)

Patient Information Booklet – PH Hosted Resource (Alcohol and Drugs Recovery Service)

PH Hosted Resource – Alcohol and Drugs Recovery Service – Other Language Versions

Additional Team Support Functions

In addition to our core work plan, members of our team provide supplementary support functions including

  • representation on local and Board wide dedicated alcohol and drug structures and allied topic structures, funding and recruitment panels,
  • strategic policy development,
  • workforce development and networking opportunities,
  • resource development and training development, delivery and evaluation,
  • consultation, advice and report writing,
  • research, monitoring and evaluation,
  • commissioning and contract management,
  • budget and project management,
  • staff recruitment panels, staff induction and on going support.
Alcohol – Useful Links
Support and Information Services Alcohol Pathway
Drugs – Useful Links
Alcohol and Drug Recovery Service
Alcohol and the Community

Topic: Alcohol.

Description: Alcohol focused activity for use in Social Studies. Young people will begin to understand how alcohol misuse can have a negative effect on the local community.

Type: Lesson plan.

Target group: Third; Fourth.

IT/practical requirements: Access to IT desirable for additional research by young people but not essential. Flipchart paper and pens required. 

Implications for staff: None.

Cost attached: No.

Resource link: Alcohol and the community (pdf)

QA Tool: Alcohol and the Community

As it is

Topic: Alcohol; Drugs.

Description: The AS IT IS DVD is a resource that tackles the issues of gang fighting, territorialism, offending behaviour and substance misuse. The DVD was produced by a partnership of statutory and voluntary agencies based in Glasgow. Accompanying pack was developed by Glasgow Council on Alcohol.  DVD includes interviews with real people and graphic imagery which some people may find disturbing. The resource challenges entrenched thinking by showing how choices made by gang members have impacted in their own and other people’s lives.  Police Scotland advise that the resource is an early intervention toolkit and can be used with P7, S1 & S2 pupils.  This resource will generate discussion and provoke different thinking with all age groups.  It is recommended that parental consent should be obtained if this resource is to be used with persons under the age of 16. It is strongly recommended that staff view the films and teaching aids prior to use.  If additional hard copies are required please contact Inspector Stevie Kinvig, Police Scotland.

Type: Pack.

Target group: Second; Third; Fourth.

IT/practical requirements: Access to DVD Player/PC & Projector to allow DVD to be played.

Implications for staff: The nature of this resource means that staff should review prior to use, young people may have experienced gang fighting & consequences & as a result may require support during and after use of the resource. DVD contains graphic scenes of violence.

Cost attached: No.

Resource link:   

QA Tool:

Assessing the impact of advertising

Topic: Alcohol.

Description: Alcohol based activity focussing on the impact of advertising for use in Social Studies. Can be used as a standalone lesson or to complement Take a Drink Drama performance. Explores the extent to which young people’s choices and decisions around alcohol consumption can be influenced by advertising.

Type: Lesson plan.

Target group: Third; Fourth.

IT/practical requirements: Access to IT would be useful for further research by young people but not essential. Selection of magazines and newspapers would be useful.

Implications for staff: None.

Cost attached: No.

Resource link: Assessing the impact of advertising (pdf)

QA Tool:

Sun, sea and safety

More information coming soon…

Analysis of Alcohol Facts and Figures

Topic: Alcohol; Drugs.

Description: Alcohol/Drug based activity for use in Mathematics. Can be used as a stand alone lesson or to complement Take a Drink Drama performance. Explores the effects of alcohol/drugs on society by analysing relevant data.

Type: Lesson plan.

Target group: Third; Fourth.

IT/practical requirements: Access to computers required for pupils to research topic and present findings.

Implications for staff: None.

Cost attached: No.

Resource link: Analysis of alcohol facts and figures (pdf)

QA Tool:

Health, Safety and Dignity

Topic: Alcohol.

Description: A four week peer education programme for use with S1 and S2 pupils developed by senior pupils in St Roch’s High School in Glasgow.  The course focuses on alcohol and has three themes: safety, health and dignity.  The course comprises a series of interactive workshops to help young people make positive choices about alcohol.  The pack can be used by staff to deliver alcohol education to young people or by senior students wishing to gain experience of peer education delivery. Positive choices about alcohol.

Type: Pack.

Target group: Second; Third; Fourth; Senior phase.

IT/practical requirements: Access to smartboard required for session 3 –WEBSITE REFERRED TO NO LONGER AVAILABLE, please use http://choicesforlifeonline.org/cards/alcohol-the-effects-on-your-body.aspx

Implications for staff: Support for delivery of this resource is provided by Glasgow Council on Alcohol.

Cost attached: No.

Resource link: Health, Safety and Dignity

QA Tool:

Myths and Facts

Topic: Alcohol.

Description: Resource pack which includes bottles and units activity, alcohol quiz and discussion around safety tips and advice. Explore common myths and misconceptions around alcohol and alcohol use.

Type: Pack.

Target group: Third.

IT/practical requirements: For best results the session should be delivered along with a collection of bottles, jar of pickled liver and beer goggles.  Please contact your local GCA office or Health Improvement Team to borrow resources.

Implications for staff: None.

Cost attached: No.

Resource link: Myths and Facts (zip)

QA Tool:

Rory

Organisation

Alcohol Focus Scotland

Course Name

Rory – using the Rory resource in Schools

Aim of the course

Aim 

  • Learners will enhance their awareness and understanding of the problems caused by alcohol in Scotland;
  • have a greater awareness of the impact of harmful parental drinking on children and families;
  • more confidence to respond to children who are or may be affected by parental drinking.

Description of Training course

The training explores the Rory storybook and resource pack, which aims to build resilience and protective factors in children.  The pack comes with a range of age appropriate lesson plans and activities which focus on exploring relationships, development of problem solving and communication skills. 

Dates of training (Day, date, year)

Throughout year, available from training@alcohol-focus-scotland.org.uk 

Participants (who should apply? Criteria?)

Primary school staff (P1-7) who would like to learn more about Rory and how it can be used with children aged five to eleven years, building resilience and increasing social & emotional wellbeing.  

Trainers / organisation

Alcohol Focus Scotland is the national charity working to prevent and reduce alcohol-related harm.

We want to reduce the impact of alcohol on individuals, families, communities and Scotland as a whole.

We want to see fewer people have their health damaged or lives cut short due to alcohol, fewer children and families suffering as a result of other people’s drinking, and communities free from alcohol-related crime and violence. 

Closing date to apply to attend (for example – 2 weeks before the course start date)

Until course is full 

Time

This is a 4hr course delivered over 2 x 2hr sessions, usually 4pm-6pm.

Contacts / booking details / website etc.https://www.alcohol-focus-scotland.org.uk

training@alcohol-focus-scotland.org.uk 

Call: 0141 572 6700

Venue

Varies, contact provider training@alcohol-focus-scotland.org.uk

Choices For Life: Sophie’s Story (Alcohol)

Topic: Alcohol

Description:   Together with PACE Theatre, Choices for Life have produced a series of dramas “Someday” which are all interlinked. They tell the story of Liam, Sophie and Scott as they experience peer pressure, smoking, drugs and alcohol for the first time and must face the consequences that lead from it. 

Sophie’s story is about a group of school girls who have been invited to a house party and offered alcohol.  It focuses on Sophie, who gets really drunk and the consequences that follow.  

The film lasts approximately 15 minutes and can either be watched on its own or as part of the someday series covering other substance misuse topics.  You can also see what happened to Sophie after the party by watching the follow on film “Facing the consequences” – a documentary style drama exploring long and short term consequences.

Type: Online resource, Film

Target group: Third Level

IT/practical requirements: Access to the internet required 

Implications for staff: No additional training required

Cost attached: No

Resource link: 

QA Tool: Sophie’s Story QA Tool

Take a Drink

Topic: Alcohol; Drugs.

Description: Drama performed by PACE Theatre Company highlighting the dangers of risk taking behaviour to young people, for example, the consequences/situations facing young people under the influence of alcohol and or drugs. The drama follows three characters who attend a party and all have very different experiences due to their excessive alcohol consumption. Follow up workshops are delivered by Glasgow Council on Alcohol to allow discussion about issues raised in the play.  This play is commissioned by NHS GG&C for all Glasgow Secondary Schools at present.  If you are interested in running a similiar project outwith the Glasgow area please contact PACE Theatre Company directly.  Take A Drink 2012 Evaluation Report available on request.

Type: Performance/Drama.

Target group: Third; Fourth; Senior phase.

IT/practical requirements: Stage area required or large hall depending on audience size. Drama company provide all required equipment including sound equipment.

Implications for staff: None.

Cost attached: No.

Resource link: http://www.pacetheatre.com

QA Tool:

Young Booze Busters Website

Topic: Alcohol; Drugs; Tobacco.

Description: Interactive, incentive based information on alcohol, tobacco and other drugs.  This online resource contains information for young people and parents/carers as well as video clips, games, competitions and a link to Becky Booze Buster. Provides information on alcohol.  Additonal information on drugs and tobacco has recently been added.

Type: Online interactive resource.

Target group: Third; Fourth.

IT/practical requirements: Computer with internet access.  You Tube access required to watch videos.  Link to Becky Booze Busters is via Facebook or email.

Implications for staff: None.

Cost attached: No.

Resource link: Young Booze Busters

QA Tool:

Oh Lila

Organisation

Alcohol Focus Scotland

Course Name

Oh Lila – a learning resource for pre – school aged children

Aim of the course

The course explores the key themes of the Oh Lila resource and how it relates to building resilience in children. Oh Lila is linked to the curriculum for excellence with a particular focus on Health & Wellbeing.

On completing training learners will:

  • Have enhanced awareness and understanding of the problems caused by alcohol in Scotland
  • Be more aware of early years policies and strategies
  • Be able to identify ways to confidently use Oh Lila
  • Be more confident in managing disclosures

Description of Training course

Oh Lila is a flexible resource which aims to build resilience and protective factors in young children, helping them to explore their emotions, develop social skills and identify trusted adults. The 4 hr workshop provides learners with an interactive and engaging experience.

Dates of training (Day, date, year)

Throughout year, available from training@alcohol-focus-scotland.org.uk

Participants (who should apply? Criteria?)

Target group – Nursery workers and practitioners working with children of pre-school age (3-5yrs) to help them to identify trusted adults and understand that asking for help is a positive behaviour.  

Min/max participants – Min 6 and max of 18

Trainers / organisation

Alcohol Focus Scotland is the national charity working to prevent and reduce alcohol-related harm.

We want to reduce the impact of alcohol on individuals, families, communities and Scotland as a whole.

We want to see fewer people have their health damaged or lives cut short due to alcohol, fewer children and families suffering as a result of other people’s drinking, and communities free from alcohol-related crime and violence.

Closing date to apply to attend (for example – 2 weeks before the course start date)

Until course is full

Time

Training is delivered over 4 hours – usually 9am-1pm or 1pm-5pm.

Contacts / booking details / website etc.https://www.alcohol-focus-scotland.org.uk

training@alcohol-focus-scotland.org.uk

Call: 0141 572 6700

Venue

Varies, contact provider training@alcohol-focus-scotland.org.uk

This online resource contains quality assured substance misuse education resources to support staff working with young people in both education and community settings. Resources include lesson plans, resource packs and relevant websites.

The Substance Misuse Toolkit aims to reduce harm caused by substance misuse by:

  • Equipping staff with the knowledge and confidence they require to teach pupils about the effects, risks and consequences of substance use by providing them with a range of materials and methodologies.
  • Encouraging learners to make informed choices about alcohol, drugs and tobacco.
  • Supporting an age appropriate and inclusive approach to education in relation to substances within the context of a Curriculum for Excellence.
  • Identifying evidence based resources and approaches and share good practice with staff across the Greater Glasgow and Clyde area.
  • Ensuring that resources are up to date and fit for purpose.

When selecting resources from this toolkit staff should ensure that not only topics are covered but that there is an emphasis on risk and resilience across all stages in the health and well being curriculum. An overview of all the resources can be found here

Service Overview

Click here to access a complete listing of all lesson plans, and resources found in the toolkit.  

Resources can be filtered by topic, CfE level and resource type. Alternatively, you can click on the individual summary tables for each topic area using the links from the main menu.

Useful Websites

Alcohol Focus Scotland

Alcohol Focus Scotland is Scotland’s national alcohol charity. The website provides accurate and accessible information about alcohol, its associated harm and how it affects different sections of society.  Global, national and local policies, research findings and current news articles can be found on the site as well as briefings on key alcohol issues e.g. minimum pricing and licensing.

Aye Mind

Can young people use the internet, social media and mobile technologies to improve their mental health and wellbeing? Aye Mind has worked in collaboration with young people and workers to bring together a suite of positive digital resources and methods, for widespread use.  Created in partnership between Greater Glasgow and Clyde NHS, Snook, the Mental Health Foundation and Young Scot.

Know the Score

Website which contains real-life stories relating to substance misuse. The website also includes downloadable substance information leaflets, information on a range of drugs, appropriate agencies for signposting purposes, regular police warnings, and updates regarding both legal and illegal substances. Provides information regarding effects and legal issues of drug use and misuse.

Quit Your Way

NHS service with specialist support for schools and youth organisations.  The service aims to give young people information about smoking and tobacco to allow them to make informed decisions. Smokefree Services give young people easy access to facts about smoking and information on how to access local support to stop smoking.

Smokefree Young People and Schools Services covers the following:

  • Youth Stop Smoking Service
  • Smokefree Schools
  • Smoking prevention
  • Secondhand Smoke
  • Work with Schools and Youth Organisations to develop Smokefree policies 

Talk to Frank

Website which contains downloadable information, videos, quizzes, interactive games, and advice regarding drugs. The website also highlights real stories relating to substance misuse and provides relevant signposting information. Provides factual information and up-to-date advice on drugs, and a range of issues relating to substance use and misuse.

NHSGGC Prevention Network

Prevention is defined as encouraging and developing ways to support and empower individuals, families and communities in gaining knowledge, attitudes and skills in which to avoid or reduce alcohol and drug issues and alcohol and drug related harm.

CAPSM

Information regarding the long term impact on children affected by parental substance misuse.

Training

Evidence from the Greater Glasgow & Clyde Prevention and Education Model has shown that ongoing training or support for staff is essential to promote best practise. Staff groups responsible for delivering programmes and interventions to ensure greater programme fidelity.

Scottish Drugs Forum – Alcohol General Awareness, Dugs General Awareness, Cannabis, Substance Misuse, Motivational Interviewing and Stigma

Alcohol Focus Scotland – Rory, O’Lila, Adam and CHAT (Children Harmed by Alcohol Toolkit)

Education Staff – Please remember to also check your local authority education CPD calendar for specific training within your area.

Latest News

New Tobacco resources for August 2019!

The NHS GGC tobacco pack for primary schools Tradewinds has been fully revised and updated and can be accessed here.

We also have a new resource for secondary schools from Ash Scotland which is well worth a look.  The Tobacco-free Secondary Schools is suitable for 3rd and 4th level as well as senior phase and can be accessed here.

More Topics

Introduction

The New NHSGGC Alcohol and Drug Prevention Framework

Following a rapid review of the alcohol and drug prevention International evidence base between 2012 and 2018, an updated version of the NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde Prevention and Education Model which will now be known as the NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde (NHSGGC) Alcohol and Drug Prevention Framework has been developed.

The new NHSGGC Alcohol and Drug Prevention Framework has 3 main components :

1. Context

The new NHSGGC Alcohol and Drug Evidence Briefings, Implementation Plan and Monitoring Tool take a whole population focus with a life-course perspective being integral to the work. They encourage innovative partnership working and encompass the most recent changes to alcohol, drugs and related topic policy and evidence based practice and changes to the landscape since 2012. A key focus of the Prevention Framework is on the promotion of equalities whilst addressing health inequalities and the impact of life stages, deprivation and vulnerability in the most at risk groups such as vulnerable young people, looked after children, older people and the homeless population.

The definition for prevention in the Prevention Framework is as follows :

Prevention is defined as encouraging and developing ways to support and empower individuals, families and communities in gaining knowledge, attitudes and skills in which to avoid or reduce alcohol and drug issues and alcohol and drug related harm.

2. The ten key themes that underpin implementation of alcohol and drug prevention initiatives / services

3. The NHSGGC Alcohol and Drug Prevention Evidence Briefings

The original NHSGGC Alcohol and Drug Prevention and Education Model (2008), collated Prevention and Education evidence base (2012) and new NHSGGC Alcohol and Drug Prevention Framework (2019) can be viewed at the NHSGGC Health Improvement Alcohol and Drug Team website.

For further details on the NHSGGC Prevention Framework please email Trevor Lakey, Health Improvement Lead (Alcohol and Drugs) for NHSGGC via ggc.mhead@ggc.scot.nhs.uk*.

*Please note that this is a generic admin inbox and not monitored immediately. If you, or someone you know are in distress and need an immediate response call the emergency services on 999 or NHS24 on 111.

Context

What is alcohol and drug prevention?

There are various definitions of prevention that typically include some or all of the following elements:

  • Discouraging any use of alcohol and drugs
  • Delaying the use of alcohol and drugs
  • Avoiding the development of harmful alcohol or drug use or dependence amongst those who are using substances  
  • Preventing individuals from additional alcohol or drug use
  • Reducing the harm associated with alcohol or drug use
  • Tackling risk factors and increasing individuals’ resilience to prevent problem alcohol or drug use

In the NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde Alcohol and Drug Prevention Framework, the definition for prevention is as follows:

Prevention is defined as encouraging and developing ways to support and empower individuals, families and communities in gaining knowledge, attitudes and skills in which to avoid or reduce alcohol and drug issues and alcohol and drug related harm.

  • Environmental prevention addresses reducing the availability and accessibility of alcohol and drugs in the community.

Effective prevention and education in NHS Greater Glasgow & Clyde involves a wide range of stakeholders including (but not limited to) those working in:

  • Alcohol and drug recovery services
  • Recovery communities
  • Community and voluntary organisations
  • Homelessness and housing services
  • Community Safety
  • Government departments and Local Authorities 
  • Primary care
  • Mental health services
  • NHS Scotland
  • Employers
  • Fire and Rescue Services
  • Licensing Boards 
  • Police Scotland
  • Scottish Prisons Services
  • Youth groups
  • Education Services
  • Health and Social Care Partnerships (HSCPs)
  • Licence owners
The Ten Key Themes that underpin Alcohol and Drug Prevention

This briefing provides detail on the ten key themes which underpin the successful delivery of alcohol and drug preventative approaches outlined in subsequent evidence briefings in the NHSGGC Alcohol and Drug Prevention Framework. These themes can be considered when developing, implementing and monitoring all alcohol and drug prevention initiatives and services.

Pre birth, Infancy and Early Years

Need to know

  • Parental alcohol and drug use can have a negative effect on children. If this is the case, it is considered to be an Adverse Childhood Experience (ACE) alongside other harmful experiences such as physical abuse, emotional abuse and neglect. An accumulation of ACEs can increase the risk of a child being affected by problem alcohol and drug use in later life
  • Children who grow up in homes with problem alcohol or drug use are more likely to develop alcohol and drug issues themselves and face significantly higher risks of medical, psychosocial and behavioural issues
  • Children who are exposed to alcohol prenatally can have specific and lifelong neurodevelopmental  problems collectively referred to as Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder (FASD)

Key Findings

  • Improving parenting skills and bonding between children and their parents is an effective preventative approach
  • A focus on developing protective skills, values and attitudes in early years education is effective 
  • For children whose mother has issues with alcohol or drug use, effective prevention begins before the child is born to lower their risk of problem alcohol or drug use later in life and positively influence their development
  • The individuals delivering an approach – teachers, psychologists, mentors, peers – need on-going, high quality training and support. This includes training to ensure their practice is trauma-informed
  • One approach might not fit all. The age, developmental stage, circumstances and needs of each child and family within a targeted group need to be considered when designing and delivering a prevention programme

Good Practice

  • Strengthening Families parenting programme
  • Children Harmed by Alcohol Toolkit C.H.A.T.
  • Oh Lila resource pack for pre-school 

Potential Stakeholders

  • Early years education (including childcare services)
  • Prenatal and postnatal care (including health visitors)
  • Families and children 
  • Third sector
  • Police Scotland
  • Social workers
Children and Young People

Need to know

  • Adolescence represents a period of vulnerability to alcohol and drug use issues and related harm
  • The earlier a young person begins alcohol or drug use, the more likely they are to develop alcohol and drug issues later in life
  • Those with greater exposure to Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs) may have a higher risk of developing certain problems later in life including issues around alcohol or drug use
  • Care-experienced children and children whose parents have issues with alcohol and drug use are particularly vulnerable groups

Key Findings

  • Successful preventative interventions engage children and young people in their design and development Sessions for children and young people need to be interactive. Lectures that primarily provide information are ineffective 
  • A focus on developing protective skills, values and attitudes is effective 
    Fear arousal does not prevent alcohol and drug use in children and young people 
  • The individuals delivering an approach – teachers, psychologists, mentors, peers – need on-going, high quality training and support and where possible have clear alcohol and drug policies in place to deal with any alcohol and drug incidents
  • One intervention approach might not fit all. The age, developmental stage, circumstances and needs of each child or young person within a targeted group need to be considered when designing and delivering a prevention programme

Good Practice

  • Strengthening Families programme 
  • Children Harmed by Alcohol Toolkit (C.H.A.T.)
  • Rory resource pack 
  • LifeSkills programme  

Potential Stakeholders

  • Families and children
  • Education services 
  • Colleges and universities
  • Social workers, youth workers
  • Police Scotland
  • Young people 
  • Employers
  • Allied health professionals
  • Primary care, acute care and youth health services
  • Housing services
  • Third sector services
Adults

Need to know

  • For the purposes of this briefing, adults have been defined as anyone aged 25-50 years old
  • 24% of adults in Scotland exceeded the low-risk weekly drinking guidelines in 2017 
  • In 2014/15, 6% of people in Scotland had used one or more illicit drugs in the last year 
  • Problem alcohol and drug use amongst adults are more prevalent in Greater Glasgow and Clyde than on average for Scotland 
  • The rate of problem drug use amongst adults was highest in the 25 to 34 years age group in Scotland 
  • On average, men consume alcohol on more days of the week than women in Scotland, and consume more units of alcohol

Key Findings

  • There is strong evidence for the effectiveness of Alcohol Brief Interventions (ABIs) in primary care settings in reducing the weekly consumption of alcohol in adults 
  • There is strong evidence for the effectiveness of well-planned psychosocial and developmental prevention interventions involving multiple services in reducing alcohol and drug related harms
  • There is some evidence for the effectiveness of cognitive behavioural therapy, behavioural couples’ therapy and pharmacotherapy in reducing alcohol and drug related harms, as well as clear alcohol and drug policies in the workplace
  • There is an evidence gap relating to whether diversionary activities can be effective in preventing alcohol and drug use in adults

Good Practice

  • NHS Health Scotland resources on delivery of ABIs
  • Oldham Borough Council pilots
  • Brighton and Hove City Council ‘named workers’ 
  • Newcastle City Council roll-out of Naloxone
  • Barnsley Metropolitan Borough Council Naloxone pilot
  • The SOLVE training package  

Potential Stakeholders

  • Adult alcohol and drug services
  • Allied health professionals
  • Employers
  • Scottish Prisons Service
  • Recovery groups 
  • Local authority staff
  • Social care staff
  • Mental health professionals
  • Community learning and development staff
  • Police Scotland
Older Adults

Need to know

  • In this evidence briefing, older adults have been defined as anyone aged 50 and over. At present, the proportion of older people with substance misuse continues to rise more rapidly than can be explained by the rise in the proportion of older people in the UK. 
  • While overall alcohol and drug consumption is falling, in older generations there is evidence that it is increasing, yet there is currently no alcohol strategy in Scotland that specifically considers the needs of older adults
  • Older adults with problem alcohol use are the least likely to receive treatment, but the most likely to have positive outcomes
  • Isolation and loneliness are more prevalent amongst older adults. The evidence supports “a strong social role” for drinking alcohol in older adults, thus interventions need to avoid “paradoxical harm”
  • Age-related factors increase the risk of problem alcohol and drug use, including retirement, bereavement, dementia and chronic ill-health.

Key Findings

  • Older adults should be included as a distinct group within alcohol strategies, and their lived experience should be used to help design effective services
  • Older adults’ alcohol and drug use is commonly misdiagnosed or missed entirely. Training primary care staff to spot problem alcohol and drug use, specifically in over 50s, will improve access to treatment, particularly when an older age identification test and cognitive impairment test are used
  • Venue choice is critical to making services accessible and acceptable for older adults, with a focus on access for those with limited mobility
  • Intervention involving employers is important in being able to manage the transition to retirement 
  • Age-related alcohol guidelines need to be developed to combat a very low level of awareness of what these are amongst older adults
  • Reduced hepatic function and the issue of poly pharmacy in older adults mean that pharmacological interventions may be less appropriate for this group

Good Practice

  • Mast-G and MoCA assessment tests 
  • Older adults’ Cognitive Behavioural Theory manual (SAMHSA)
  • Healthy working lives initiative 

Potential Stakeholders

  • Alcohol and drug services
  • Geriatric services
  • Community services 
  • Allied health professionals
  • Employers
  • Pain management services
  • Policy teams
At Risk / Vulnerabilities

Need to know

  • Socioeconomically deprived groups often report lower levels of average alcohol use but experience greater or similar levels of alcohol-related harm. 
  • Alcohol and drug-related deaths are much higher in the most deprived areas, compared to the least 
  • Alcohol and drug use issues are more common amongst homeless people than the general population
  • All LGBT+ populations experience some form of health inequality, including an increased risk of alcohol and drug use issues
  • Alcohol and drug use issues are more common for those with pre-existing mental health issues or behavioural disorders, but equally alcohol and drug use can increase the risk of developing certain mental health issues
  • The prevalence of alcohol and drug use issues is much greater in the prison population than in the general population
  • At-risk groups are not mutually exclusive, and often an individual will face multiple risks, and thus multiple barriers to services

Key Findings

  • Integrated services and care pathways are important for all at-risk groups to tackle multiple and complex needs effectively. This includes multi-agency working, continuity of care and considerable wraparound support eg housing, finance and employment services
  • At-risk groups face barriers to accessing services. For LGBT+ groups, health staff training and awareness can be effective in mitigating this, as well as capturing data on sexual orientation and gender identity to inform service design and delivery
  • Specific services, workers and spaces can be effective for supporting protected characteristic groups. 
  • Those with coexisting mental health and alcohol or drug use issues (dual diagnosis) can benefit from tailored interventions which are non-confrontational, simultaneously address mental health and alcohol or drug use, and are delivered by trained staff
  • For homeless populations, assertive, long-term outreach services and Housing First approaches have demonstrated effectiveness in increasing engagement and reducing alcohol and drug related harms
  • Rapid, easy and timely access to services is particularly important for homeless populations, and those involved with Criminal Justice services

Good Practice

  • Pride in Practice
  • Leeds Dual Diagnosis Project
  • Housing First Glasgow 
  • Turning Point Scotland218 Centre
  • The High Impact and Complex Drinkers project
  • Tomorrow’s Women  

Potential Stakeholders

  • Homelessness services and housing providers
  • LGBT+ services
  • All health professionals
  • Scottish Prison Service
  • Third sector 
  • Alcohol and drug services
  • Mental health services
  • Police Scotland
  • Service users/peer involvement
  • Social work
Society Wide Approaches

Need to know

  • The availability, affordability and acceptability of alcohol are the primary drivers of consumption and harm
  • Advertising is heavily invested in by the alcohol industry and exposure to advertising increases alcohol related harm
  • Over the last 30 years, alcohol in the UK has become more affordable. Greater affordability in the off-trade has led to different patterns in alcohol consumption, with more people drinking at home, as opposed to in pubs and other leisure settings
  • Opioids have been implicated or potentially contributed to 86% of drug related deaths in Scotland 

Key Findings

  • Reducing alcohol availability through reduced hours/days of sale and clear licensing practices has been shown to be effective in minimising alcohol related harms. Low drink-driving limits and appropriate minimum age levels are also effective, in combination with strict enforcement
  • There is evidence that reducing affordability through a combination of minimum unit pricing and taxation is effective in minimising alcohol related harms
  • As exposure to alcohol advertising has been linked to greater alcohol related harms, regulation is needed to minimise this
  • Supervised drug consumption facilities can reach marginalised groups, facilitate safer drug use and enable access to health and social services
  • Drug checking at events/festivals and safer use social media campaigns can help minimise harms associated with use of drugs such as ecstasy and MDMA
  • Access to Naloxone can help to prevent opioid related deaths, particularly for those released from prison

Good Practice

  • Scotland’s National Naloxone programme
  • RSPH labelling examples
  • What’s in the pill? campaign 
  • Minimum Unit Pricing in Canada 
  • Consumption rooms in Denmark 

Potential Stakeholders

Alcohol and drug services

Police Scotland

Scottish Prison Service

Education Services  

Licence holders 

Advertising regulators

Licensing Boards 

Allied health professionals

Social Work

Appendices

We are a Board wide Health Improvement Team who promote and reinforce alcohol and drug Public Health Improvement and Equalities across the 6 Integrated Health and Social Care partnerships in Greater Glasgow and Clyde – Glasgow City, Renfrewshire, East Renfrewshire, West Dunbartonshire, East Dunbartonshire and Inverclyde by working closely with the Alcohol Drug Partnerships and related structures.

This is not a website for people looking for immediate help. If you are in distress and need immediate help, please click here.

Further Information