- The document discusses a workshop on supporting people with drug and alcohol problems. It provides statistics on illicit drug and alcohol use in Scotland and the social profile of new clients receiving treatment. - The main strategies discussed are "Road to Recovery" and "Changing Scotland’s Relationship with Alcohol." A strategic statement sets competencies for the drug and alcohol workforce. - Research found social workers are well-placed to offer holistic support but may have negative attitudes; ongoing training can improve knowledge, attitudes, and legitimacy of the role in addressing substance issues.

1. Workshop
World Social Work Day
19 March 2013

2. Supporting People with Drug
and Alcohol Problems
Do all social workers have a role in
supporting people with drug and alcohol
problems? If so what is this and what
support do they need to undertake this role
effectively?

3. Statistics
Illicit drug use:
• Almost one in four adults report taking one or more illicit drugs at
some point in their life
• Around 1 in 15 adults report using drugs in the last year
• 1 in 28 adults reported using one or more illicit drugs in last month
• Cannabis most commonly used drug in last year – cocaine second
to this
• Approximately 40,000 – 60,000 children have a parent with problem
drug use – 10,000 to 20,000 are living with their patients
• 60% of new clients receiving treatment aged 30 and over
• 19% of new clients aged 40 and over
• There were 584 drug related deaths registered in Scotland in 2011.

4. Statistics
Alcohol use:
• Alcohol sales in Scotland in 2011 equivalent to 21.6 units per adult
per week
• Consumption in UK has doubled since the 1950s
• Alcohol related hospital discharges have quadrupled since the early
1980s. More than 100 Scots being admitted to hospital each day
• 70% of assaults presenting at A&E were alcohol related
• Deaths caused by alcohol have doubled in recent decades.
Scotland has one of the fastest growing chronic liver disease and
cirrhosis rates in the world
• Significant number of young people drinking on a regular basis
potentially limiting them from achieving their full potential
• Half of Scottish prisoners (including 75% of young offenders) say
they were drunk at time of offence

5. Social Profile of New Clients
from SDMD – 2010/11
• 67% of individuals unemployed. 12% of individuals in
paid or unpaid employment
• 70% of people reported drug use funded by benefits.
22% reported funding drug use with crime. 15% reported
funding drug use by debt
• 41% had dependent children (16 and under)
• 72% lived in owned or rented accommodation when they
entered treatment. 12% reported they were homeless
and 1% were in supported accommodation
• 19% had previously been in prison

6. Main Strategies
• Road to Recovery
• Changing Scotland’s Relationship with
Alcohol

7. Strategic Statement
Supporting the development of
Scotland’s Alcohol and Drug
workforce 2010
• Sets out the key competencies and skills
of a widespread workforce
• Identifies the important roles and
responsibilities organisations and
individuals play in the development of the
drug and alcohol workforce

8. Social Work Research - 2011
“Social workers are ideally placed to offer a holistic approach to
understanding the relationships between a person’s substance use and
their family, home and community” (source: Social Work Services and
Recovery from Substance Misuse: A Review of the Evidence 2011)
Research also highlighted:
• Negative attitudes leading to stigmatisation of service users
• Training can improve attitudes, knowledge and work in this area
• To maintain change, training and support needs to be ongoing
• Training has greater impact when social workers feel it is a
legitimate part of their job
• Range of educational barriers which need to be overcome
• Situational constraints
• Specialist substance misuse services –reported more positively
about knowledge skills and support

9. Questions
• Are you aware of the strategic statement? If so how has
your area and you as an individual taken it forward?
• Are you aware of the Research paper? If so how has
your area and you as an individual taken it forward?
• Do you agree that all social workers have a role in
supporting people with drug and alcohol problems? If so
what is this?
• What support do you/they need from others to undertake
this role effectively?