Bristol Still Needs to do More to Support People With Drug Addictions

November 8, 2022 Chopsy Baby

A used hypodermic needle lying around a usually busy central Bristol street this morning, highlights the continuing issue of drugs in central Bristol areas.

Taking a step back out of the heavy rain for a moment on Wine Street, my daughter pointed out the needle just a couple of feet away from where she was standing.

For those who live or work in central Bristol, it’s not an uncommon occurrence. The buying and selling of drugs in and around the city centre is a big issue, with housing estates and blocks of flats providing plenty of cover for business.

But taking drugs on the streets of Bristol simply isn’t safe, which is why Overdose Prevention Centres also known as Drug Consumption Rooms are important.

The Office for National Statistics released data this summer which showed that In Bristol, there were 151 deaths from drug poisoning in 2019-2021. This was up from 147 deaths in 2018-2020. In fact, the number of deaths is consistently rising, with 131 reported drug poisoning deaths in 2017-2019 and 118 in 2016-18.

The number of deaths in Bristol related to drug misuse was 41 in 2021, 38 in 2020, 41 in 2019 and 37 in 2018.

Bristol has a Drug and Alcohol Strategy 2021 – 2025, which states that it is ‘deliberately aspirational’. However, a key priority at tackling drug use is ‘preventing those choices in the first place, by working with teenagers, schools and at-risk communities.’ This includes ‘support for mental health and wellbeing’ despite Bristol City Council failing to fully get to grips with its Send crisis and the waiting list for CAMHS currently standing at around 18 months if not longer for some children and young people.

An update regarding the Drug and Alcohol Strategy was due to be given on 23 June 2022 at the Health and Wellbeing Board, there was nobody available to present the report.

Papers state that Bristol will be receiving a funding increase of £8.3 million to provide a range of services for people using drugs or alcohol.

They also say: ‘We would like to consider how we can better join up across the city, in particular considering a trauma informed approach that recognises drug and alcohol use as a symptom of trauma, and a strategy for managing trauma. Increasingly we are taking a cross-diagnostic view which considers not just substance use, but recognises deprivation, opportunity, community, physical and mental health. More joint commissioning and joined up working (including digitally) across sectors will allow us to deliver a truly trauma informed, efficient and person-centred response.’

To report drugs paraphernalia for cleaning: https://www.bristol.gov.uk/residents/streets-travel/report-a-street-issue/street-that-needs-cleaning

For help and support with drug addiction: https://www.bdp.org.uk/
Drug Checking Charity: https://wearetheloop.org/