Drug & Alcohol Family Support Needs Analysis

Transcript:Drug & Alcohol Family Support Needs Analysis:
Drug & Alcohol Family Support Needs Analysis Report Debbie McDonagh Family Support Development Worker “Problem drug use has considerable negative impacts for families and their functioning. The effects of drug misuse on the family overall include deteriorating relationships and making the family dysfunctional, psychological and social problems, increased stress, depression and behavioural disorders, financial difficulties, all of which can contribute to family breakdown and negative impacts on adult and child members of the family.” (NACD, 2004. The Role of Family Support Service in Drug Prevention) The National Drugs Strategy (2001-2008) Identified the need to strengthen support for families under the following headings: Prioritise the provision of family supports by Drugs Task Forces Development of family support networks Implementation of the NACD report on families Report of the Working Group on Drugs Rehabilitation (2007) Service providers should actively encourage family participation Service providers should be trained to deal with families who are trying to cope with the drug-related problems of a family member. Families should be seen as service users in their own right The potential of the involvement of the family in supporting the recovering drug users should be utilised A pilot short-stay respite programme for families of problem drug users should be developed. National Drugs Strategy (interim) 2009-2016 Develop a series of prevention measures that focus on the family Support for families experiencing difficulties due to drug/alcohol use Parenting skills Targeted measures focusing on the children of problem drug and/or alcohol users aims at breaking the cycle and safeguarding the next generation Support families trying to cope with substance-related problems, in line with the recommendations of the Report of the Working Group on Drugs Rehabilitation. National Policy Context WRDTF Regional Strategy: The Way Forward Develop a series of prevention measures that focus on the family under the following programme headings (NDS) Support for families experiencing difficulties due to drug/alcohol use Parenting skills Target measures focusing on the children of problem drug and/or alcohol users aimed at breaking the cycle and safeguarding the next generation Develop family support groups throughout the region for families affected by substance misuse Complete an independent analysis of the Strengthening Families Programme Investigate the needs of families affected by substance misuse – involve families in the development of this research piece Expand the existing drug & alcohol parenting programmes to the wider community Engage with front line domestic abuse services around the area of substance