Greenwood Conference & Resource Centre, Dreghorn
20th April 2015
North Ayrshire ADP New Psychoactive Substances (NPS)
Learning Event Report
Date of event: / Monday 20th April 2015.Greenwood Conference & Resource Centre / Reporters name and contact details: / Marie Wilson
Addiction Education & Prevention Specialist.
Prevention & Service Support Team,
Addiction Services,
NHS Ayrshire & Arran
Tel:01563 826312
Email:
Name and Type of Event / New Psychoactive Substances “Legal Highs” Learning session
A conference style event was opened by MSP Paul Wheelhouse, Minister for Community Safety & Legal Affairs. Ten speakers from the local community and some national specialists in the New Psychoactive Substances (NPS) field contributed throughout the day. Eleven partner agencies accepted the opportunity to host a stall to showcase local services and resources. In addition, the 98 attending delegates had the opportunity to discuss and provide feedback on six previously identified key themes throughout the day.
Nº of participants / 119
1) Brief outline of event
The NPS event was identified as a learning need by NHS Ayrshire & Arran, Prevention & Service Support Team and North Ayrshire ADP. The main aim of this event was to raise awareness of NPS, including physical, psychological and social harms that have been identified both locally and nationally. The opportunity was also taken to highlight good practice and partnership working that is taking place both nationally and locally by partner agencies and the Ayrshire Drug Trend Monitoring Group (DTMG). A conference style event was the preferred structure to maximise capacity.
2) Key messages, outcomes
· Paul Wheelhouse, Scottish Government Minister for Community Safety & Legal Affairs, provided an update on the work taking place nationally around NPS.
· The local perspective on what has been achieved in relation to NPS to date was provided by Mark Gallagher, Alcohol & Drug Partnership, Lead Officer; Marie Wilson, Prevention & Service Support Team; and Sergeant Mo Boyle, ADP Communities & Prevention sub-group chairperson. Lynne Burns outlined her personal tragedy of losing her son when he was killed at a party in North Ayrshire where all involved were taking Mephedrone.
· Bobby McNamara Deputy Manager of a local charitable homeless hostel delivered a presentation outlining the prevalence and problems identified in relation to NPS use. He identified Synthetic Cannabinoids and “moonshine” (mephedrone) as particularly problematic for users of his service.
· Marie Wilson, in her role as Chairperson of the DTMG provided an overview of the work of the group and the importance of data collection and data sharing between partner organisations and services. Jo McManus, from NHS Greater Glasgow & Clyde (GGC) used the example of the NPS and “Chemsex” needle provision service that was set up to respond positively to prevalence information gathered via the GGC DTMG.
· Kenny Simpson from Police Scotland acknowledged the legal issues and responses that are required to respond to NPS nationally.
· Vicki Craik from CREW highlighted the importance of a dedicated psychostimulant service in recognising and responding to NPS, emphasising the need for treatment interventions delivered locally.
· Katy McLeod from the Scottish Drug Forum discussed the emerging trend of injecting NPS specifically regarding the harms of injecting ethylphendate type NPS.
· The opportunity was seized to gather and collate opinions and recommendations from conference delegates. The questions and responses are listed in the attachments.
3) Conclusions and Recommendations
The high number of attendees at this conference demonstrated the estimated demand for such an event in North Ayrshire was indeed well founded. Although no formal evaluation was conducted, an opportunity to leave feedback on the North Ayrshire ADP website was extended to all the delegates. However, none seized the opportunity to do so. Anecdotally the feedback received was extremely positive. The high number of partner agencies that took the opportunity to showcase the services they provide is testimony to the partnerships and working relationships throughout North Ayrshire.
Recommendations:
· All partner agencies and services within A&A should be urged to record and report NPS use and harms
Ø This can be achieved by using existing systems including the DTMG and the Shared Addictions Management Service
· Every effort should be made to highlight the importance of keeping up-to-date with emerging issues related to NPS.
Ø NPS specific events
Ø DTMG bulletin
Ø PSST training programme
Ø Support for NPS related initiatives
4) Attachments
· A full list of delegates and the presentations are available on North Ayrshire ADP website- www.naadp.com
· Participant’s feedback from table top discussions.
Q1.What are the current gaps in relation to NPS?
Q2. What can you offer to support us move forward?
Q3.What else do we need to do in relation to NPS?
Q4. How can you/your service share information?
Q5.What are the barriers to sharing information?
Q6. What other methods could we use to collect NPS information?
AYRSHIRE & ARRAN DRUG TREND MONITORING GROUP
INFORMATION COLLECTION TEMPLATE
Please complete as much of the template as possible and return to
Alternatively, please call Lesley Robb on 01563 825882
Geographical Location(Please also specify if necessary town/village)
Name of Drug:
How do you know this name: (Please tick most appropriate)
Name on packet / Name used by user
Name used by dealer
Route of Administration: (How did they take the drug? Please tick)
Smoked / Snorted / Swallowed / Injected / Other (Please describe)
Effect of Drug: (Describe the effect of drug on user)
Polydrug Use? (Was the drug used with any other drugs or alcohol? (Please list)
No / Yes / Please List Others / Don’t know
Dosage: (How much of the drug was taken, if more than one type of drug was taken please list amount taken for each)
Cost: / Appearance of drug: (e.g. white powder)
Concern (Please indicate concern e.g. is this is a supply issue, an adverse effect issue etc)
How has this been brought to your attention?
Directly from user / Community member
From users’ peers / Family member
From professional involvement with user / Other professional in contact with the individuals
Where was drug sourced?
Internet / Headshop / Dealer / Other (please describe)
How often has this been raised?
( How many times has this particular concern been raised)
Any Other Information