Moray Drug and Alcohol Action Team Corporate Action Plan 2005 ...

Contents: 

Moray Drug and Alcohol Action Team 

Corporate Action Plan 2005 – 2006 

Page 1 - Contents 

Pages 2 – 26 Corporate Action Plan 

Annex 1 – Moray local Integrated Care Seminar final report 

Annex 2 – Moray Community Safety project plan 

Annex 3 – Moray DAAT research report completed by REAP 

Annex 4 – DAAT support money table 

1

DRUG AND ALCOHOL CORPORATE ACTION PLAN 2005/06 

The information in the following template will comprise the Drug and Alcohol Corporate Action 

Plan for 2005/06. For reporting purposes the drug pillars and alcohol priorities have been 

combined as follows: Culture Change and Communities 

Prevention, Education and Young People 

Provision of Support and Treatment Services 

Protection, Controls and Availability 

Drug and Alcohol Action Teams are asked to demonstrate progress against the following drug 

and alcohol national priorities. Where there is local data in support of performance eg. local 

indicators or milestones, these should be shown. Responses should be confined to one page 

per priority. 

If the national priority is not relevant at local level then the reason for this should be outlined 

(eg. No waiting times for treatment services). 

National Priorities: Drugs 

• Reduce the proportion of under 25’s reporting use of illegal drugs. 

Target: Reduce the proportion of under 25’s reporting use of illegal drugs in the last month and 

previous year substantially, and heroin use by 25%, by 2005. 

• Increase the number of drug misusers in treatment services. 

Target: Increase the number of drug misusers in contact with drug treatment and care services in 

the community, by at least 10% every year. 

• Increase the number of drug misusers successfully completing treatment. 

• Increase the number of drug misusers moving onto training, education and employment. 

• Reduce waiting times for drug treatment and rehabilitation services. 

• Reduce drug related deaths. 

Target: Reverse the upward trend in drug-related deaths and reduce the total number, by at least 

25% by 2005 

• Reduce the proportion of under 25s who are offered illegal drugs. 

Target: Reduce the proportion of young people under 25 who are offered illegal drugs 

significantly, and heroin by 25%, by 2005. 

Target: An increase in the weight of Category A drug seizures of 10%, by 2006. 

Target: An increase in detection of offences for supply or intent to supply Category A drugs by 

10%, by 2006. 

National Priorities: Alcohol 

• Reduce binge drinking, because of the harmful social and individual consequences. 

• Reduce hazardous or at risk drinking by children and young people because of the particular 

health and social risks. 

Targets: To reduce the incidence of adults exceeding weekly sensible drinking levels from: 

33% to 31% for men between 1995 and 2005 and to 29% by 2010; 

13% to 12% for women between 1995 and 2005 and to 11% by 2010. 

Targets: To reduce the frequency and level of drinking from 20% of 12-15 year olds to 18% 

between 1995 and 2005 and to 16% by 2010. 

• To provide equitable, accessible and inclusive services to address the needs of those who 

experience problems with alcohol and those affected by others’ alcohol problems. 

National Priorities: Drugs and Alcohol 

• Reduce harm to children affected by substance misusing parents / carers. 

• Reduce drug and alcohol related crime, and reassure communities of this. 

2

The Drug & Alcohol Action Team : 2004/05. 

Name : __Moray Drug and Alcohol Action Team_______________________________________ 

Number of meetings in 2004/05 : ____7____________________________________ 

Action Team Members : 

Name Designation Organisation No. of meetings 

attended 2004/05 

(inc reps as necc) 

Councillor A Bisset Moray Council 4 

Councillor J A Divers Moray Council 4 

Councillor J Hamilton Moray Council 3 

Councillor R Sim Moray Council 7 

Councillor J Stewart Moray Council 5 

E Scarborough Moray Council 1 

Mr B Dempsie Operations Manager Moray Council 5 

Mr J Sullivan Head of Children, Moray Council 3 

Families 

Justice 

and Criminal 

Mr Fraser Ross Drug and Alcohol 

4 

Mr R D Burns 

Development Officer 

Chief Legal Officer Moray Council 

Miss Rachel Wilson Elections Officer Moray Council 3 

Superintendent 

A Smailes 

Grampian Police 5 

Ms Sharon Ralph Procurator Fiscal 

Mr Graham Jarvis Chair Moray Alcohol, Moray Council 5 

Mr Alastair MacDonald 

Drugs and HIV Forum 

Governor HM Prison, Inverness 6 

Mr Andrew Fowlie General Manager Moray LHCC 6 

Ms Pat Manning Operations Manager Grampian Primary Care 

Trust 

2 

Mrs Elaine Brown Public Health Lead NHS Grampian 3 

Mr Graeme Cronkshaw Drugs Misuse Policy Grampian Health Board 6 

Ms Gillian Anderson 

Manager 

Grampian 

Promotions 

Health 

Mr Ken Asher Secretary/Treasurer Moray Licensed Trade 

Association 

1 

Mrs Margaret Christie Social Worker Dr Grays Hospital, Elgin 2 

P McKenzie Secretarial 

DADO 

Support to 

4 

Margaret Jamieson DADO Aberdeenshire 1 

A Farquhar Moray Council 4 

Sheila Kennedy MorayCouncil 4 

Helen Robins Lead Nurse 2 

Lynne Geddes 1 

John Cosgrove 1 

Pat Shearer Assistant 

Constable 

Chief Grampian Police 1 

Tish Carter 1 

Gordon Sinclair 1 

3

Action Team Support Funding: 

2004/05 Allocation : __£46,000__________________________ 

Carry Forward : __Nil__________________________ 

Total : ___£46,000_________________________ 

Category of Spend Expenditure £ 

Commisioned research getting the views of drug 

users 

Local Integrated Care Seminar 

Staff Costs (Development officer only) 

* up to Feb 05 

Property costs 


Supplies and Services 


Transport Costs 


Advertising Costs (Development officer and 

admin posts) 


Administrative costs 


Total 


4 

£1,900 

£790 

£20,205.87 

£47.70 

£308.12 

£1983.08 

£3,643.36 

£1516.19 

£1,900.00 

£790.00 

£47.70 

£308.12 

£1983.08 

£3,643.36 

£20,205.87 

£28,878.13 

(projection of end of year amount charged to 

NHS £32K) 

Admin staff costs £14,000 not charged to NHS 

Grampian. No projected underspend 

* Budget difficulties will be experienced in next year due to low amount of support money received 

and staff now in post. Total will only cover staff costs (Development officer and Admin support) with 

no spare for DAAT activities or work. Moray receives the lowest amount of support money in 

Scotland. See Appendix illustrating support money totals for the north of Scotland.

PERFORMANCE CONTRACT 2005/06 – 2006/07: 

The additional £XX,000 per annum in [dates] is expected to result in 

1. An increase in the numbers entering treatment (as reported through 

SMR24 returns) from [number] to [number]. 

2. A reduction in waiting times for [treatment intervention], from [length 

of wait] to [length of wait] (as measured through the national waiting 

times framework 

3. An increased range of interventions available by [date] for [location] 

to provide a [specific intervention] to [client group]. 

NB. This is a simple example of what a performance contract may look 

like. DAATs will wish to amend details according to the local situation 

and information, and may need to include specifics as required from 

local partners. The final performance contract will be worked out 

through negotiations with the Scottish Executive. 

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 

Signed: 

DAAT Chair Scottish Executive 

NHS Chief Executive 

Directors of SW 

5

Support & Treatment Tables : 2004/05. 

NON-RESIDENTIAL SERVICES IN ACTION TEAM AREA: 

DEDICATED DRUG AND / OR 

ALCOHOL SERVICE 

REMIT 

Drugs Only (D) 

Alcohol Only (A) 

Drugs and Alcohol (DA) 

ANNUAL 

SPEND 

Insert annual spend and source 

NHS SPEND (N) 

Local Authority (L) 

NUMBERS 

NHS Drugs and Alcohol DA 254 140 214 

6 

New Clients 

No. of Active Clients 

Total Attendances 

No. of Planned Discharges 

SPECIFIC GROUPS 

(Enter code 1-5* below) 

Under 16s 

Women 

Pregnant Women 

Dual Diagnosis 

Ethnic Minority Groups 

6 

Equality Groups 

Psychostimulant Users 

Homeless People 

Over 65’s 

TYPE OF SERVICE PROVIDED 

126 - 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 x x x x 

Moray Council on Addictions DA N28500 136 163 - 44 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 x x x x x x x x 

Moray Social Work Addictions DA 157 63 - 29 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 x x x x x x 

* Figures for first 3 quarters only 

*Specific Group Codes: 

1= Drug and/or alcohol service dedicated solely to the specific group. 

2= Drug and/or alcohol service with specialist workers, dedicated clinics, or facilities for the specific 

group. 

3= Drug and/or alcohol service which has undertaken specific action to attract specific group. 

4= Drug and/or alcohol service which treats clients from the specific groups but has no specialist 

facilities. 

5= Drug and/or alcohol service which does not treat clients from the specific group. 

Detoxification 

Day-Care 

Substitute Prescribing 

Outreach Clinics 

Needle Exchange 

Criminal Justice SW Intervention 

Dedicated Drug and/ or Alcohol Service – A service with dedicated workers or facilities for supporting alcohol and/ or 

drug misusers, where the focus of the intervention is on alcohol and/ or drugs during 2003/04. 

Number of New Clients – Number of clients attending the service for (a) the first time ever or (b) it has been at least six 

months since their last attendance at the services during 2003/04. 

Number of Active Clients – Number of clients for whom treatment and /or dedicated support is being managed in 

accordance with a care plan at the service during 2003/04. 

Number of Planned Discharges – Number of clients from each service who completed a treatment or support 

intervention , or moved from one treatment and /or support provider to another in a planned way during 2003/04. 

Prison Throughcare & Aftercare 

Aftercare 

Education/Training/Employment 

Advice & Information 

Counselling (Group and 1-1) 

Home Visits 

Family Support 

Volatile Substance Abuse 

Mutual Support Groups 

Brief / Minimal Interventions 

Community Rehabilitation 

Crisis Management

RESIDENTIAL SERVICES IN ACTION TEAM AREA: 

SERVICE 

None 

REMIT NUMBER 

OF BEDS 

7 

TOTAL 

ADMISSIONS 

ADMISSIONS FROM 

ACTION TEAM AREA 

DETAIL ANY TARGETED GROUPS 

DEDICATED SERVICES USED OUTWITH ACTION TEAM AREA: 

SERVICE REMIT LOCATION NUMBER OF CLIENTS NUMBER OF TOTAL ANNUAL 

REFERRED 

CLIENTS ADMITTED SPEND 

Alexander Clinic Drugs/Alcohol Detox, Rehab Aberdeenshire 2 2 £4,000 

SHARED CARE: (Drugs Only) 

Number of GP Practices signed up to local shared care scheme 3 

Number of pharmacists signed up to local shared care scheme 15 

Number of dispensings of methadone mixture 215,772 (Grampian) 

Number of supervised dispensings of methadone mixture 162,286 (Grampian) 

NEEDLE EXCHANGE: (Drugs Only) 

SERVICE TYPE NUMBER OF FACILITIES NUMBER OF NEEDLES / SYRINGES DISTRIBUTED NUMBER OF NEEDLES / SYRINGES RETURNED 

Specialist 1 888 Needles/556 Syringes Unable to quantify due to sealed containers being 

returned 

Outreach Nil 

Community Pharmacies 207,000 (Grampian)

PREVENTION SERVICES: (Alcohol Only) 

How many dedicated alcohol prevention services have been funded by the Action Team using existing monies: 

ADULT SERVICES Moray Council on Addictions 

CHILDREN’S SERVICES 

8

Action Team Progress – Culture Change and Communities. 

National Priority: Reduce binge drinking. 

Target: Reduce the incidence of adults exceeding weekly sensible drinking levels 

from: 33% to 31% for men between 1995 and 2005, and to 29% by 2010 

13% to 12% for women between 1995 and 2005, and to 11% by 2010. 

Performance 

Briefly demonstrate local performance towards the national priority, using local indicators 

where appropriate: 

Current Moray position: 

33% of males & 16% of females are exceeding weekly sensible drinking levels. 

There has been a slight increase (3.1%) in the number of males exceeding weekly limits, but a 

significant increase (33.3%) in the number of females exceeding weekly limits. 

(Health Scotland (2004) Constituency Profiles- Moray.) 

The Grampian Adult Lifestyle Survey has reported that overall in Grampian 23% of males exceeded 

safe levels of alcohol consumption compared to 11.3% of females. 

(NHS Grampian (2004) Grampian Adult Lifestyle Survey 2002 ) 

The results may not be directly comparable between the two surveys. The findings of the most recent 

adult lifestyle survey would indicate there has been a significant reduction in the numbers exceeding 

sensible drinking limits and that the targets have been met and further enhanced locally. 

This reporting year has so far seen: 

47 male and 3 female Disorderly conduct/urinating offences 

60 male and 1 female Drunk and incapable offences 

72 male and 8 female Drinking in public place offences 

Progress Made in 2004/05 

Briefly summarise the key achievements in this area during 2004/05: 

� In Partnership with the Health Promotion Team and Community Safety we undertook a large 

Christmas Binge Drinking Campaign that lasted all of December. It covered Schools, Workplaces 

and Shopping Centre with national and local publications handed out. 

Planned Action 2005/06 

Briefly outline the key actions that you intend to take during 2005/06. Where possible these 

should be clearly measurable: 

� Community Safety and NHS Grampian are match funding a worker to work in partnership with the 

DAAT to develop and take forward binge drinking campaigns locally. It is hoped to start 

recruitment to fill this post in April 

9

Measures: Worker in post, Alcohol Communications plan developed, funding secured, campaigns take place, evaluation 

submitted 

� Work in Partnership with Aberdeen City and Aberdeen Shire DAAT to further develop and roll out 

the Think B4 U Drink board game for young people. This will include a days training for Games 

Masters and a roll out plan. It is expected to hold the training by June 2005. 

Measures: Updated games purchased, additional training for staff to deliver game takes place, number of sessions game is 

used in Moray, evaluation report at end of year 

� In Partnership with Highland DAAT identify and take opportunities to jointly use Moray Firth Radio 

to send out joint and individual messages warning on the dangers of Binge Drinking. This will be 

an ongoing project throughout the year. 

Measures: Advertisement time purchased, number of joint and individual slots taken place, evaluation completed at end of 

project 

� The Moray DAAT in partnership with Community Safety and Health Improvement will produce a 

local Alcohol Communication Plan that will be delivered alongside National Campaign’s. This will 

be ongoing during the year. 

Action Plan Produced by May, number of campaign’s taking place, evaluation of campaign’s 

10

Action Team Progress – Culture Change and Communities. 

National Priority: Reduce drug and alcohol related crime and reassure communities 

that effective action is being taken. 

Performance 



The number of drug related offences in 2003 was 355 (406 per 100,000, Scotland average was 800) 

The number of drug related offences in 2002 was 324 (374 per 100,000, Scotland Average was 799) 

The number of possession with intent to supply offences in 2003 was 68 

The number of drug possession offences in 2003 was 282 

The number of drunkenness offences in 2003 was 105 (102 in 2002) 

The number of drink driving offences in 2003 was 247 (238 in 2002) 

The number of drinking in a designated place offences in 2003 was 33 (27 in 2002) 



� The Community Safety Partnership working with the Moray DAAT agreed to make “Tackling 

Substance Misuse and its Effects in the Community” its theme for their 3 year plan. 

� The Community Safety Plan covers a wide spectrum of projects that will go towards reassuring 

the community that effective action is being taken by the DAAT as an active member of the 

Community Safety Partnership 




� The Moray DAAT will write a communications plan that will include press releases to make the 

general public aware of the work it is doing to reduce the harm to local communities as a result of 

substance misuse and associated problems. 

Measures: Communications plan produced, number of press releases, feedback from press releases 

� Moray DAAT in partnership with Scottish Drugs Forum is meeting in April to develop Community 

Engagement in Moray. This will ensure that Communities are consulted and listened to in future 

strategic planning. 

Measures: Meeting takes place, Community Engagement plan developed, Proposal submitted to DAAT for approval, 

Community representatives at annual planning day in November 2005 

� The Moray DAAT will actively support in partnership the Community Safety Action Plan and 

provide evaluation information as required in the plan. This cross cutting plan covers wide 

ranging community issues to reduce the harm in local areas. This will be ongoing throughout the 

reporting year. 

Measures: Areas for DAAT Action in community safety plan take place and progress reported 

* Copy of Community Safety Action Plan attached as an annex to this document 

11

Action Team Progress – Prevention, Education and Young People. 

National Priority: Reduce hazardous or at risk drinking by children and young people 

because of the particular health and social risks. 

Target: Reduce Frequency and level of drinking from 20% of 12 – 15 year olds to 

18% between 1995 and 2005, and to 16% by 2010. 

Performance 

Briefly demonstrate local performance towards the national target, using local indicators 


The fourth Grampian Youth Lifestyle Survey was carried out in 2001. The survey covered all 

secondary schools in Grampian (including independent schools) and involved a 10% sample of pupils 

from years 1 to 6. In total, 2515 questionnaires were completed giving a response rate of 76%. The 

2001 report clearly showed that young people in Grampian have increased alcohol consumption from 

14% in 1992 to 25% in 2001. 30% of young people surveyed has consumed alcohol in the seven 

days prior to the survey. The mean unit of alcohol consumed in the last seven days was 17.8units for 

all pupils with females consuming on average 16.4units and males 19.4 units this shows an increase 

from the 1998 survey. 

National data (SALSUS, 2002) tells us that the average age of being drunk amongst young people in 

Grampian is 13 years. 46% of young people aged 13 and 15 in Moray reporting consumption of 5 or 

more drinks on the same occasion in the last 30 days. In addition, 10% of 13 and 15 year olds in 

Moray reporting consumption of 5 or more drinks on four or more occasions in the 30 days prior to the 

survey. 

A study in 2003 (Alcohol Related Presentations at A & E Departments in Grampian) carried out by the 

University of Aberdeen over a one week period showed that 9 (19.7%) of the total alcohol related 

presentations in Dr Grays in Elgin were in the 14 – 18 years of age bracket. 

Moray Division 

''January 2005 – 23 persons aged from 11 to 17 dealt with for underage drinking. 19 male and 4 

female. 

15 of these aged 15 years and under 

February 2005 – 20 persons aged from 13 to 17 years dealt with for underage drinking 9 male and 11 

female. 

16 of these aged 15 years and under.'' 



� Copies of “What every parent should know about alcohol” are currently being distributed to every 

home in Moray with a secondary School pupil. 

� Moray DAAT in Partnership with the Effective Interventions Unit held a local Integrated Care 

Seminar. Consultation with a group of young people from communities across Moray was 

included as part of the seminar. Their action points are included in the report and will be taken 

forward. 

� Moray Drug Alcohol and HIV Forum held a consultation event that was attended by all secondary 

12

schools in Moray to consult them on what the issues were in their area and what actions the 

DAAT required to take to reduce the level of binge drinking in their locality. 

� The problem of under aged drinking and it's resulting effects in both health issues and youth 

disorder is recognised. To this end, in addition to other initiatives, Operation Avon was 

introduced, whereby an affected area is targeted over a set time, this normally being a weekend. 

This measure, which has been repeated at regular intervals across Moray, along side more 

general pro-active policing activity, has resulted in over 350 letters being sent to parents of youths 

found in possession of alcohol. Of these, 21 relate to second time offenders, whereby a Police 

Officer has carried out a home visit to deal with the youth in the presence of their parents. In 

addition to these instances, a number of youths found suffering from the effects of alcohol have 

been conveyed home, or to a Police Office, where they are thereafter spoken to in the presence 

of their parents. 

� Grampian Police operated a scheme where certain Off-Licensed Premises were encouraged not 

to sell alcohol to persons under the age of 21. The success of this measure, and Policing 

enquiry’s, has led to the conclusion that a large quantity of alcohol consumed by youngsters 

originates from their own homes. Police have addressed this matter in the local media. 




� The Community Safety Partnership and Moray DAAT plan to commission a researcher to conduct 

a need assessment around young people and harmful drinking in Moray. Particular emphasis will 

be on what young people see as a suitable local young person’s confidential service. This will be 

completed by September 05 

Measures: Needs assessment commissioned, Final Report, Action Plan to implement recommendations 

� The DAAT in partnership with Grampian police and the Community Safety Partnership will 

continue to run Operation Avon throughout Moray as required in 2005/6. The Operation will be 

part-funded by the Community safety Partnership. Performance measures are being developed 

at present with the Partnership. 

Measures: Number of operations taking place, number of letters sent to parents, number of police home visits, performance 

measures developed, performance evaluated using measures 

13


National Priority: Reduce the proportion of young people reporting use of illegal 

drugs. 

Target: Reduce proportion of under 25’s reporting use of illegal drugs in the last 

month and previous year substantially, and heroin use by 25% by 2005. 

Performance 



The SALSUS (2002) Survey indicates that of young people aged between 13 and 15 22% of young 

people in Moray have taken drugs at some time, with 19% (Moray) having used drugs in the last 

year. Nationally 15% had used drugs in the last month compared with 12% of young people in Moray. 

62% of clients under the age of 25 accessing the Drug problem service stated that the onset of their 

problem drug use began between the ages of 15 – 19 years old. 38% said that it was from 20 – 24 

years of age. No clients accessed a service said that the onset of their problem drug use began 

under the age of 15. 

Information from SMR 24’s tell us that 27.3% of clients reporting heroin use were in the 20 – 24 year 

old age group. There was no reported heroin use in the 15 – 19 year old age group (it was 5% in the 

previous year) 

Grampian Police Moray Division Information 

No of persons under 25 reported for drugs offences 

January 2005 17 persons charged with drugs offences 14 male 3 female – 7 under 25yrs of age 

82% of seizures were for Cannabis and 18% for class A drugs 

February 2005 22 persons charged with drugs offences 21 male 1 female – 8 under 25yrs of age 

68% of seizures were for Cannabis and 22% for class A drugs 

No of seizures of heroin per month 

January 2005 - 2 

February 2005 - 4 



� Consultation with a group of young people from communities across Moray was included in our 

local Integrated Care Seminar. Their action points are included in the report. 

� Moray Drug Alcohol and HIV Forum held a consultation event that was attended by all secondary 

schools in Moray to consult them on what the issues were in their area and what actions the 

DAAT required to take to reduce the demand for illegal drugs in their locality. 




� The Community Safety Partnership and Moray DAAT plan to commission a research to conduct a 

need’s assessment around young people and illegal drug use in Moray. Particular emphasis will 

be on what young people see as a suitable local young person’s confidential service. This will be 

completed by September 2005. 

Measures: Needs assessment commissioned, Final Report, Action Plan to implement recommendations 

14

� The Moray DAAT in partnership with Community Safety and Health Improvement will produce a 

local Drug Communication Plan that will be delivered alongside National Campaign’s. This will be 

ongoing during the year. 

Measures: Action Plan Produced by May, number of campaign’s taking place, evaluation of campaign’s 

15


National Priority: Reduce harm to children affected by substance misusing parents / 

carers through improved multi-agency support to parents and children. 

Performance 



In 2003 – 2004 information from SMR24’s tell us that: 

8% of new clients live alone with dependent children 

2% of new clients live with their parents and dependent children 

28% of new clients live with a partner and dependant children 

2% of new clients live with their spouse, their parents and dependant children 

The number of identified children with substance misusing parents has doubled locally this year as a 

result of more robust assessment and referral process’s 



� A Joint Aberdeen City JDAAT, Aberdeen Shire ADAT, Moray DAAT and North East of Scotland 

Child Protection Committee document “Children Affected by Parental Drug or Alcohol Related 

Problems – A Framework for Reducing the Harm” was produced, launched and distributed. 

� As mentioned above the number of referrals to the Child Protection Committee has doubled as a 

result of better identification and referral systems. 

� Local training sessions on “Getting our Priorities Right” were undertaken with a wide range of staff 

attending. 




� The Moray DAAT in Partnership with the Effective Interventions Unit is to run an information 

sharing workshop in Moray to review and recommend actions in this area. This event will take 

place in May. 

Measures: Seminar takes place, report with action points produced, recommendations for the way forward with local 

information sharing protocol agreed and actioned. 

16

Action Team Progress – Provision of Support and Treatment Services. 

National Priority: To provide equitable, accessible and inclusive services to address 

the needs of those who experience problems with alcohol. 

Performance 



• Capacity of current services in DAAT area by Tier:– Tier 1 = ; Tier 2 = ; Tier 3 = ; Tier 4 = 

Tier 1 = Moray Youth Justice, Moray Criminal Justice, Moray Youth Action, Moray Youthstart, Detached Youth Workers, GP’s, 

Moray Social Work Children’s Services, Moray Mental Health Services, Guildry House Project, Health Improvement SMS drop 

in service, Health Visitors, School Nurses 

Tier 2 = Moray Council on Addictions, Moray Social Work Addictions Team, Moray Needle Exchange Service 

Tier 3 = Moray Substance Misuse Service, Inverness Prison Addiction Team, Moray Social Work Addictions Team 

Tier 4 = There is no Tier 4 service in Moray 



� In partnership with the Effective Interventions Unit the Moray DAAT ran an Integrated Care 

Seminar locally. Participants, including community reps and service users were in attendance. 

The final report has provided valuable information for the Moray DAAT to take forward and act on. 

� The Moray DAAT funded Moray Against Poverty to undertake focus groups and individual 

interviews with drug users to consult them on their views of current services and what they see as 

a need for future services or service development. 

� Moray has now appointed an Integrated Manager for Health and Social Care Addictions team 

who is tasked with developing the services and closing gaps. She is also the Integrated Manager 

for Mental Health and is moving towards closer working between the two areas. 




� The Moray DAAT will form a short life task group to review and take forward the 

recommendations from the local Integrated Care Seminar. They will meet as required and at 

least quarterly with reports produced for the DAAT. It will also be tasked with taking forward and 

developing an Integrated Care Process in Moray that is inclusive of all tiers of service delivery. 

They will take into account the recommendations from other national key documents, e.g. Mind 

the Gaps, to ensure that clients do not slip between services. Based on the experience in other 

areas it is envisaged that this group will run into the next reporting period. 

Measures: Short Life Task Group formed, Number of services participating in the task group, Development Plan Produced, 

Quarterly reports submitted to DAAT, Annual Progress Report submitted for inclusion in next years Corporate Action Plan 

� The Integrated Care Task Group will develop a local Single Shared Assessment (SSA) for 

17

approval by the DAAT and Partner agencies. The target for implementation is September 2005 

Measures: SSA agreed and developed by group, SSA approved by DAAT and Partners, Training for services takes place, 

number of services using SSA 

� The Integrated Care Task group will review and consider the recommended action from the 

Research Carried out by REAP and a Service user that highlights the accessibility problems for 

rural service users. They recommend the DAAT look at more proactive outreach or providing 

transport/assistance with transport for this client group. 

Measures: Accessibility recommendations for rural service users/potential service users are reviewed and recommendations 

reported to the DAAT in a quarterly report, Recommendations implemented and reported in next years CAP 

� The Moray DAAT will work with service users to develop peer support groups using SMART 

Recovery® and/or Narcotic Anonymous models as recommended in the REAP Research. 

Funding for a worker to take this forward has been applied for and we are awaiting the outcome. 

The first group will be running by August 2005. 

Measures: First Group meets, Number of Peer support groups that are held, evaluation of peer support groups 

* The Local Integrated Care Seminar and REAP Research Reports submitted as supporting 

attachments 

18


National Priority: Reduce waiting times for drug treatment and rehabilitation services. 

Performance 



Information from the National Waiting Times Framework informs us that there was an ongoing 

reduction in the waiting time for all services in each reporting quarter. This points to progress being 

achieved and ongoing to meet the national priority. 

Quarter 1: 59 waited less than 21 days, 41 over 21 days 





Three services agreed to participate in the Waiting times framework. This provided evidence of the 

length of time clients were waiting. The services worked hard in the second quarter to successfully 

impact on the length of wait from referral to assessment and reduce the waiting list. 




� Moray DAAT to set up a monitoring group to report on activity, budgets and implement effective 

monitoring and evaluation systems in treatment services to inform DAAT decisions and improve 

service delivery. Recommendations on the membership and role of the group will be submitted to 

the DAAT by May 2005. 

Measures: Monitoring Group formed, quarterly reports submitted to DAAT, number of services having monitoring and 

evaluation process’s implemented, number of services with new performance indicators, number of services with development 

plans 

� Funding has been sought to implement a direct access drug service. This will act as a 

“Gatekeeper” for the specialist service, offer immediate support and significantly reduce the time 

from referral to access to treatment. This will be implemented if confirmation on funding is 

received. 

Measures: Funding secured, Service implemented, reduction in waiting times evidenced 

� The DAAT will encourage other rehabilitation services to participate in the waiting times 

framework e.g. employability, youth justice, criminal justice. This will allow the DAAT to identify 

blockages in service delivery and take supportive action. This will start in April. 

Measures: Increase in number of participating services 

19


National Priority: Increase the number of drug misusers in contact with treatment and 

care services. 

Target: Increase the number of drug misusers in contact with treatment and care 

services in the community by at least 10% every year until 2005. 

Performance 



SMR 24 Data tells us that there were 93 new referrals in 2003 – 04 this was up from the 77 the 

previous year 

The waiting times reports tell us that there were 251 new referrals during the first 3 reporting quarters. 



� The Drug Misuse Information Strategy Team was invited to attend the September 2004 DAAT 

meeting and do a presentation on the value of SMR 24’s. Following this presentation it was 

agreed by the DAAT to ensure that services not currently submitting forms will do so in the future. 

� The Moray DAAT at their March 2004 meeting agreed that all services working with drug users 

will be directed to participate in the SMR 24 framework. 




� Provide local training on SMR 24’s by May 2005 

Measure: Training takes place 

� Increase the number of services submitting SMR 24 forms by June 2005 

Measure: number of new services participating and submitting 

� Increase the number of new clients identified by SMR 24 forms by 100% by the end of the 

reporting year 

Measure: percentage increase in new identified clients 

20


National Priority: Increase the number of drug misusers successfully completing 

treatment. 

Proxy Measure: Number of planned discharges. 

Performance 



Waiting Times information informs us that there were 60 planned and 57 unplanned discharges for 

the first 3 reporting quarters. 



� NHS, Social Work and the Council on Addictions are all participating in the waiting times reporting 

and we now have a baseline for the number of planned and unplanned discharges 




� The Moray DAAT will work with services to develop informative evaluation process’s to improve 

the number of planned discharges over unplanned discharges. This will be ongoing during the 

year. 

Measures: Number of services developing informative evaluation process’s, increase in the number of planned discharges 

� The Moray DAAT will approach the Scottish Drug Forum to set up a service users group. This 

group will be consulted during any review of service provision. The target is to have this group 

running by September 2005 with representatives at our annual planning day. 

Measures: Partnership formed with SDF, User Group forms and meets, User group representative takes place in DAAT 

structure, User Group representatives attend annual planning day 

� The Moray DAAT will support the Integrated Mental Health manager to review all services in 

Moray that have drug and alcohol clients. This will include the implementation, where necessary, 

of client satisfaction and complaints procedures. Service Development Plans with new 

performance indicators will be the outcome of this process. It is envisaged that this will be 

ongoing during the reporting year. Quarterly reports will be submitted to the DAAT. 

Measures: Number of services reviewed, Number of Development plans produced, number of new complaint/satisfaction 

procedures 

21


National Priority: Increase the number of people recovering from drug and alcohol 

problems entering training, education and employment. 

Performance 



Moray New Futures has had 7 clients moving into full time employment, this does not include clients 

accessing training while on the programme. P2W had 13 into full time training and 9 into 

employment. There were 69 starts since its beginning in Dec 2003 



� The Moray DAAT formed a local employability sub group to review this area and make 

recommendations to the DAAT. 




� Employability sub group to identify local barriers and gaps in employability. Report submitted to 

the DAAT by September 2005 

Measures: consultation takes place, report submitted to DAAT 

� Employability sub group to develop partnerships between key employment and education 

services and drug and alcohol services. This will be ongoing over the year. 

Measures: partnerships formed, referral protocols agreed, partners participation in employability sub group, increase in the 

number of ex drug and alcohol users accessing education and employment 

� Employability sub group to work with local employers to agree protocols and information sharing 

that allow ex drug and alcohol clients to enter local employment opportunities and gaps. This will 

be ongoing during the year. 

Measures: record of work done to change employers perceptions of ex drug and alcohol users, protocols agreed, information 

sharing protocol agreed, increase in the number of ex drug and alcohol users accessing local employment gaps, number of 

local employers agreeing to work with Employability projects and ex drug and alcohol users 

22


National Priority: Reduce the number of drug related deaths. 

Target: Reverse the upward trend in drug-related deaths and reduce the total 

number, by at least 25% by 2005. 

Performance 



In 2004 there were 4 drug-related deaths, all heroin related. This was up from 2 the previous year 

(police information). There have been no drug related deaths in January or February 2005 



The increase in Drug Deaths reflects the reported increase in dealer quantities of Heroin being 

reported and detected in Moray. In the latter part of 2004 Moray was the only DAAT area not to be 

covered by the SPS Transitional Care Scheme, anecdotal evidence suggests that at least the last 2 

deaths were recently released from a prison. 




� The Moray DAAT will form a local critical incident group to look at last years drug deaths and see 

if there were any common themes, areas for action etc. Also review the local situation compared 

with the recommendations from the Drug related Deaths short-life Information Sharing sub group. 

This will be set up following the May DAAT meeting. 

Measures: Group formed, reviews carried out, report submitted to DAAT with recommendations for action, implementation of 

recommendations from short-life Information sharing sub group 

� In partnership with Community Safety and Health Improvement Team run a local campaign to 

access injectors and provide harm reduction materials and messages and encourage them to 

access a service. This will take place by September 2005. 

Measures: Campaign takes place, evaluation of campaign, number of injectors accessed, number of injectors accessing a 

service as a result of the campaign 

� Work closer with Inverness Prison to access prisoners under 31 days sentence who were using 

Heroin prior to imprisonment and supply harm reduction messages and offer support on release. 

This will take place following confirmation of the funding for the Direct Access Service. 

Measures: Protocol agreed with Inverness Prison, number of prisoners under 31 days accessed, number of prisoners released 

from Inverness Prison under 31 days sentence who access services locally 

23

Action Team Progress – Protection, Controls and Availability. 

National Priority: Reduce the proportion of under 25’s offered illegal drugs. 

Targets: Reduce the proportion of under 25’s who are offered illegal drugs 

significantly, and heroin by 25%, by 2005 

: An increase in the weight of Category A drug seizures of 10%, by 2006. 

: An increase in detection of offences for supply or intent to supply Category 

A drugs by 10%, by 2006. 

Performance 

Briefly demonstrate local performance towards the national targets, using local indicators 


The 2002 SALSUS survey tells us that 44% of 15 year olds were offered drugs 4% reported being 

offered heroin. 

The amount of seizure of class A drugs, particularly heroin, have increased during 2004 both in 

frequency and quantity. 5 Kg of Cocaine was seized in one raid in Elgin. More dealer quantities of 

heroin have been recovered in Moray than in previous years. 

Moray Division 

Weight of Class A Drugs Seized 

2004 – Force Totals for January to June 2004 –Crack Cocaine 596.11g, Cocaine 5211.52g, 

Diamorphine – 3710.244g, 0.4ml Diamorphine liquid, methadone 956ml, Diconal tablets 37, Ecstasy - 

10.25g powder, 259551/2 tablets. 

January 2005 – Not currently available 

February 2005 – Not currently available. 

No of offences recorded for supply or intent to supply drugs 

2004 – 61 charges recorded 

January 2005 – 1 

February 2005 - 4 



A number of significant operations based on locally developed intelligence have successfully targeted 

known drug dealers in the Area. The most significant is now on remand and has breached 3 petition 

bails for drug dealing, and there is an expectation of a custodial sentence. Our Divisional 

performance measures have been exceeded. 




Moray Division will set the targeting of Class A drugs with a particular emphasis on supply as one of 

our 5 Divisional priorities. The national performance indicators will be adopted. 

Measures: Amount of Class A Drugs Seized, number of seizures, number of convictions 

24

Partner 

Organisation 

NHS Board 

Grampian 

Drug and Alcohol Direct Spend By Partner Organisation. 

Drug Specific Spend: 

Category of Spend 

2004/05 

Treatment 

(ring fenced) 

Treatment 

(NHS Core Budget) 

Local Authority Changing Children’s 

Services Drug Element 

Know the Score 

Other 

(Please Specify) 

NHS Grampian 


Communication funding 

Psychostimulant 

Project 

Funding Allocated 

2004/05 (include all 

carry forward) 

£1,963,000 

£1,100,000 

Category of Spend 

2005/06 

Treatment 

(ring fenced) 

Treatment 

(NHS Core Budget) 

£90,000 Changing Children’s 

Services Drug Element 

£4,500 

£138,000 


Communication 

Funding 

Psychostimulant 

Project 

Funding Allocated 

2005/06 (include all 

carry forward) 

£1,963,000 

£1,300,000 

Accumulated 

underspend up to 

March 2004 

None 

None 

£90,000 None 

Not known 

£120,000 

None 

Total underspend up 

to March 2005 

None 

£20,000 

25

Partner 

Organisation 

NHS Board 

Grampian 

Local Authority 

Other 


Partner 

Organisation 

NHS Board 

Grampian 

Alcohol Specific Spend: 

Category of Spend 2004/05 Funding Allocated 2004/05 Category of Spend 2005/06 Funding Allocated 2005/06 

(highlight dedicated SR 

Treatment and Support (Ring 

Fenced) 

Treatment and Support (NHS 

Core Budget 

See Combined 

Alcohol Communication 

Money from Scottish Executive 

*No money received from SE 

initiatives funded from support money 

in interim 

£212,000 

£687,000 

See Combined 

£6,200 

Treatment and Support (Ring 

Fenced) 

Treatment and Support (NHS 

Core Budget 

See Combined 

Alcohol Communication 

Money from Scottish Executive 

funding) 

£354,000 

£705,000 

See Combined 

Not known 

Combined Drug and Alcohol Specific Spend: 

(Only for spend which can not be readily or meaningfully split for drugs and alcohol, AND has not been 

accounted for elsewhere in plan). 

Category of Spend 2004/05 Funding Allocated 2004/05 

(include all carry forward) 

Residential Detox 

Local Authority NOF Support Drug Misusers 

In Prison & Community 

Category of Spend 2005/06 Funding Allocated 2005/06 

(include all carry forward 

and highlight dedicated SE 

funding for alcohol) 

£140,000 Residential Detox £145,000 

NOF £37,797 

MC £30,772 

NOF Support Drug Misusers 

In Prison & Community 

NOF £37,797 

MC £30,772 

26

Other 


New Burdens £113k 

Voluntary Org 

Voluntary Org 

Staffing £62,279 

MC Addictions £40,000 

Match Fund NOF £10,721 

MC Addiction £11,800 

Scottish Executive £75,000 

New Burdens £113k 

Voluntary Org 

Voluntary Org 

Staffing £62,279 

MC Addictions £40,000 

Match Fund NOF £10,721 

MC Addiction £11,800 

Scottish Executive £75,000 

*A proposal for a review in the reporting of DAAT funding streams is being submitted to the Moray DAAT by the Development Officer following the compilation of these 

figures. Clearer reporting mechanisms have been highlighted during the gathering of existing information. 

27



Annex 1 – Moray local Integrated Care Seminar final report 

29

αβχδεφγηΙϑ 

M O R A Y 

Effective Interventions Unit and Joint Future Unit 

Joint Seminar Report 

Effective Interventions Unit 

February 2005 

30

Contents 

1. Introduction P. 3 

2. Key areas for action P. 4-6 

3. Summary of discussions P. 7-16 

4. Conclusion P. 17 

Annexes 

1. Seminar programme P. 18 

2. Delegate brief P. 19-20 

3. Case Study P. 21 

4. List of registered participants P. 22 

5. Evaluation: summary P. 23-25 

31

1. Introduction 

1.1 On 7 December 2004, the Scottish Executive’s Effective Interventions Unit 

(EIU) Joint Future Unit (JFU) and Moray Drug and Alcohol Action Team (DAAT) 

held a joint seminar in the Eight Acres Hotel, Elgin. The aim of the seminar was to 

explore ways to develop and deliver integrated care for substance misusers in Moray. 

1.2 The key objectives were: 

• to examine the present availability and accessibility of services and their connections. 

• to examine key elements of integrated care and how these could apply to local coordination 

of planning and delivery of services. 

• to identify key priorities, responsibilities and processes for local action planning. 

1.3 Those who attended (see Annex 4) came from Moray and other parts of 

Highland. They represented both statutory and voluntary sector organisations with an 

interest in, or directly involved with, the delivery of services for substance misusers 

within the area. There was also a group of young people who were able to put 

forward issues that particularly affected their own age group. Throughout the day 

there was a mix of presentations on integrated care and Joint Future, facilitated 

workshops and small group discussions. 

1.4 There were 2 small group discussions: the first preceded the facilitated 

workshops and considered the advantages and disadvantages of integrated care; and 

the second considered recommendations for future action drawing on the Workshop 

discussions. Workshop 1 discussed issues of accessibility. Workshop 2 discussed 

assessment and planning and delivery of care. At the end of the day there was a brief 

feedback session on the key points that had arisen throughout the day 

1.5 In addition to an evaluation summary (see Annex 5), the EIU undertook to 

provide a report of the seminar discussions and an analysis of the key issues for the 

development of integrated care in Moray. 

Structure of the report 

1.6 The report brings together the main issues raised in the workshop discussions, 

together with ideas for future action to support the delivery of integrated care in 

Moray. Section 2 identifies key areas for action. Section 3 provides a more detailed 

record of the workshop discussions. Section 4 offers a conclusion. 

1.7 Details about the seminar programme, workshop information, registered 

participants and responses from the evaluation are outlined in Annexes 1-5. 

32

2. Key Areas for Action 

2.1 In this section we have brought together the main issues, ideas and 

recommendations from the workshops and discussions. They are set out under 

strategic and commissioning issues and operational issues. 

A1. Strategic and commissioning issues 

2.2 The key role of the DAAT in taking forward action at a strategic level to 

promote and support the development of integrated care was a theme running through 

the day. There is a need for a more strategic approach to planning; joint 

resourcing; more rational and accessible funding arrangements for services; 

better links between a wider range of strategies; better training and awareness 

raising for staff and more accountability; and better monitoring and evaluation. 

2.3 The key areas for action are: 

• Improve the strategic partnerships. Be clear about leadership, responsibilities of the 

partner agencies and lines of accountability. Ensure that key agencies, such as Jobcentre 

Plus and voluntary agencies, who have a part to play in addressing the wider problems of 

clients, are engaged in both strategic and operational planning. 

• Review commissioning arrangements: consider whether there should be a joint or 

single commissioning process and who should be the partners. 

• Conduct a full needs assessment: review the current pattern of services, and their range 

and capacity. Consider whether there is a need for more “signpost” services, more 

specialist services and a “drop-in” service, or some other kind of service to meet 

identified need or gaps in service. 

• Identify the range of resources required to meet the needs: money, staff and time. Pool 

or align funding. 

• Address the problems of geography and transport: consider new approaches e.g more 

outreach from existing services, financial help with transport costs. 

• Improve the involvement of service users in planning and commissioning process. 

• Review referral arrangements. Consider whether there would be benefit in a single 

referral agency. This would require services to follow a common process. 

• Develop a strategic approach to Single Shared Assessment, led by the DAAT, 

involving senior managers from all relevant agencies including the voluntary sector. 

Develop guidelines in collaboration with partners and drawing on the experience of 

other areas. Set out clearly the position of lead assessors/agencies (their level of 

“authority”); how they are to be identified; and ensure that they have sufficient 

“authority” to carry out the assessment. 

• Negotiate and agree information sharing arrangements. There should be an 

overarching information sharing strategy and local agreements. The DAAT should ensure 

that appropriate information sharing protocols are developed to cover the interests of all 

relevant agencies. 

33

• Negotiate and agree the system for co-ordinating planning and delivery of care 

across the range of agencies who might be involved. Consider the role of a care manager 

within an integrated care approach. 

• Examine the feasibility of a “drop-in” centre to provide a range of services on the one 

site. The DAAT should consider setting up a multi-agency steering group with client 

representation. 

• Establish clear lines of accountability within and across services. 

• Improve the information available both to clients and service providers about services 

and what they can do. 

• Develop a training strategy appropriate to the needs of staff in both specialist and 

generic agencies. This should include multi-agency training. Consider the potential for 

joint training with other, neighbouring areas to ensure that there are enough people to fill 

courses. 

• Develop effective monitoring and evaluation arrangements. 

A2. Operational issues 

2.4 The key operational issues identified in discussion reflected the strategic 

issues. The most important issue was accessibility but participants also highlighted 

better communication at all levels between specialist and generic services; 

information sharing protocols; the role of care co-ordinator; and the development 

of single shared assessment. 

2.5 The key areas for action are: 

• Improve accessibility for service users; for example, by making opening hours more 

flexible, offering a phone line, considering a drop-in out of hours service, increasing 

direct access e.g. to Moray Drug and Alcohol Services. Consider the possibility of 

providing an out-of hours drop-in facility. Finding ways to address the transport problems 

both for staff and clients is paramount. 

• Develop more and better communication and mutual trust between service providers: 

for example, by collaborating on the development of information sharing protocols. 

• Collaborate on the implementation of Single Shared Assessment through jointly agreed 

procedures, tools and protocols. Agree arrangements for lead assessors and how the 

assessment will move forward. 

• Consider the feasibility of creating a new post for a generic, neutral person, not attached 

to any one service, to do the assessment and draw in the appropriate services. There 

could be a team of such people working independent of services. 

• Identify the service providers who contribute to the planning and delivery of care and 

agree criteria for deciding who would take the lead in particular circumstances. Consider 

the role of a key worker or care co-ordinator. 

• More joint working with other key agencies: Housing to address the housing and 

homelessness problems of drug users, particularly young people; mental health services; 

and employability services to help clients into training, further education or employment. 

34

• Engage more directly with service users to ensure that service provision is meeting their 

needs. 

• Collaborate on multi-agency training. Consider ways to enhance staff skills. 

• Develop and use monitoring and evaluation to track the outcomes for clients and 

identify ways to improve services. 

2.6 The discussions about issues concerning young people highlighted many of 

the same strategic and operational issues set out above but the following specific 

issues were identified: 

• Listen to young people to enable them to be active in the setting up of services. Think 

about young people’s issues and problems from their perspective. For example, they may 

not know they have a problem with drugs or alcohol. 

• Assess the gaps in services for 16-20 year olds. 

• Develop and agree a young people’s policy and ensure active participation by young 

people in this process. 

• Give out information in user-friendly ways e.g. text messaging and user-friendly 

language. Eliminate jargon. 

• Address the homelessness problems of under-16s. 

• Help young people to understand the role of officials. 

• Explain to young people the extent of confidentiality before engaging fully with them. 

• Appoint a neutral, generic assessor(s), separate from agencies to undertake assessment 

of the needs of young people. 

35

3. Summary of discussions 

B1. Group Discussion 1 

3.1 Participants divided into groups of 4-6 to discuss the advantages and 

disadvantages of integrated care; and what actions would be required to develop 

integrated care in Moray. 

3.2. The key points were: 

Advantages 

Reducing duplication of services.* 

Pooling of funding. 

Developing a shared agenda and more 

agreement among key players 

Improving services and achieving better 

outcomes. 

Filling the “gaps” 

A better overview of the pattern of services 

available to clients. 

Services concentrating on their own role and 

everyone’s role would be more clearly 

defined and understood. 

The potential to create a single referral point. 

More effective assessment. 

Faster, easier access to specialist services. 

Reducing the frustration of clients who 

should have a better understanding of, and 

more confidence in, the services available to 

them. 

A better knowledge base. 

* This point was made by all groups. 

Actions to develop and implement integrated care in Moray 

3.2 The key points were: 

Disadvantages 

Questions of who takes ownership. 

Funding arrangements. 

The potential for contradictory views and 

disagreements about treatments/services. 

The need to invest time and effort to establish 

systems. 

The risk of assumptions that another agency 

is dealing with the problem. 

The client could “fall off” the pathway. 

Lack of flexibility. 

Too many “mini” experts. 

The risk that services would make 

judgements on each other’s perceptions. 

The difference between agency cultures and 

the difference in agendas. 

• Professionals should improve communication between each other. 

• Professionals should learn to share information – with client’s consent and knowledge. 

• There should be clear guidelines set, and available to, clients. 

• There should be a list of agencies that have permission to share. 

B2. Workshop 1: Accessibility of services in Moray 

36

Barriers 

3.3 In this workshop the participants produced a map of services for substance 

misusers in Moray and then discussed links and referral routes; and gaps and 

bottlenecks. They also considered to what extent the range of services, including the 

referral arrangements, were meeting the needs of the substance misusing population in 

Moray. Finally, they discussed how services could be made more accessible within an 

integrated care approach. 

3.4 The participants identified the following issues that affected accessibility: 

• The map showed that most services were based in Elgin but the point was made that a 

number of services, although based in Elgin, go out with the town e.g. staff will travel 

quite long distances to reach clients. However, participants felt that the success of 

outreach was variable. Overall, participants accepted that there were benefits in having 

services based in Elgin but they wanted those services to work more effectively across the 

whole area. 

• The variable nature of public transport and the cost were key factors in Moray. In some 

areas there is little or no public transport. This is compounded by the weather in winter 

which created a big barrier for staff. While a staff member might set out to reach a client, 

often they cannot actually get there. 

• There are local social and cultural issues that affect trust and confidence. Confidentiality 

is a problem because everybody knows everyone else. 

• Although training was recognised as important, in Moray quite recently STRADA has 

had difficulty attracting numbers into their courses and they had to be cancelled. It is not 

clear whether this is a problem of communication or arises from some other issue. It may 

be that services themselves lack the money to send people to training. There is also an 

issue of lack of staff time in small areas. 

• One of the problems with Dr Gray’s hospital was that the Senior House Officers changed 

every 6 months. Even if they had received training and awareness raising in drug and 

alcohol misuse, that then had to be repeated. More systematic training and education was 

required. 

• Childcare costs. 

• Funding restrictions. 

• An additional barrier is the denial of the problem in the community. Because of that 

denial people may not use a service. 

• A number of specific issues affect young people: 

- adults’ perceptions of youth 

- young people don’t know they have a problem 

- young people whose parents misuse drugs and alcohol may perceive it as 

normal and/or not know who to approach 

- views of guidance teachers differ 

37

- issues about confidentiality in relation to contact with school nurses, guidance 

teachers 

- young people’s ability to approach teachers and other staff in schools is very 

dependent on the adult/young person relationship they have with a particular member 

of staff 

- extent of confidentiality not explained before speaking to young person 

- understanding of the role of officials e.g. community warden 

- young people are often dependent on their parents for transport: therefore, they 

have limited access to services; and they have to reveal to their parents where they 

are going 

- it is difficult for young people to approach their GP (often the only possible 

source of help) because of local social contacts, e.g. GP maybe family friend 

Links between services 

• Participants felt that the links among specialist providers were reasonable but that they 

were poor across generic and specialist providers. There was a link with Dr Gray’s 

hospital but the group felt still that there were gaps. 

• Moray Drug and Alcohol Services receive referrals from GPs and also self-referrals. 

There was a view expressed that GPs were quite good at referring e.g. for prescribing or 

for detox. 

• There is a lack of links between Jobcentre Plus (JCP) and other agencies. JCP staff need 

help and support including education and awareness raising so that they can better 

understand the problems of clients with drug and alcohol misuse problems. Conversely, 

JCP staff can help to sort out some of the difficult benefit issues for drug and alcohol 

misusing clients. This can have a significant effect on other aspects of their lives. There 

was reference to the value of New Futures Fund projects but they are due to finish in 

March 2005. 

A number of service gaps were identified: 

38

• Drop-in centre 

• Café 

• Community rehabilitation 

• Diversionary disposals 

• Non specialist support (low threshold) 

• Early arrest referral 

• Service for severe alcohol problems 

• Services for 16-20 year olds (leading 

to adults trying to work with them) 

• Methadone programmes 

• Advocacy service 

• Outreach 

• Day centre 

• Employability services 

• Lack of housing in the area 

39

• There are gaps in services in Findhorn, Burghhead, Speyside, Tomintoul. 

• Service opening hours i.e. 9 to 5, create a gap. It was pointed out that Social Work was 

available out of hours but participants said that it was often difficult to get through on the 

phone line. 

• There are difficulties with information sharing between services. 

• There is a major information gap. There is a lack of knowledge about what services exist 

and what they provide and a lack of information about possible referral routes both 

among services and for clients. 

• One of the main gaps was in the 16-20 year old age range where homelessness was a 

problem. For that age group it was also felt that health services were not user friendly. 

• Another issue for young people was that because of their life circumstances they often 

moved between GPs. That in itself gave them a label. There was also a view that the 

GPs had negative attitudes towards young people with drug misuse problems and did not 

consider the other issues or circumstance in the young person’s life which might be 

affecting their behaviour. For the 16-20 year olds, particularly at the younger end of the 

spectrum, there was an issue about the end of provision requirement after 16 for those 

young people who were looked after. This seemed to be a problem in relation to housing. 

The Supporting People Initiative is helpful but only plays a part. 

• The complexity of funding arrangements, lack of information about available funding and 

financial constraints were a continuing theme in the discussions. One example was that 

the priority budget was allocated in Aberdeen (NHS). 

Bottlenecks 

• There are treatment bottlenecks. Access to GPs in some areas is a problem. Young 

people have a perception that the older population block GP time i.e. young people cannot 

get an appointment. “Do Not Attends” increase the problem and there is a perceived 

waiting list. 

• There were different perceptions about bottlenecks at Moray Drug and Alcohol Services 

(MDAS). 

• Participants felt that the referral processes were not good enough. There was also concern 

about assessment. 

3.5 The overall conclusion from this part of the discussion was that services in 

Moray were meeting needs to some extent but that there was considerable scope for 

improvement. 

Ways to make services more accessible within an integrated care approach? 

3.6 The key points identified were: 

• There should be more strategic planning. This should encompass management of 

funding. All the various strategies and partnerships should be linked up. 

• Promote joint working between mental health services and drugs and alcohol.

• Identify responsibilities of staff in agencies for drugs as part of job descriptions. The 

role of the Drug and Alcohol Development Officer was key to improving the links. 

• Address the housing problem. 

• Make better information about funding sources available to services. One single 

person could be the source of this information. 

• It was suggested that the police could be a gateway service as they have frequent contact 

with drug using offenders. 

• Develop high level information sharing which would help improve consistency e.g. with 

GPs. Develop and agree clear information sharing protocols. 

• Develop better information and a common understanding of what information exists 

about services. Information should be available about what services provide and how to 

access them. 

• There should be more signpost services and more specialist services. The idea of a 

one-stop shop was raised. 

• Provide more training and awareness raising. 

• Develop Single Shared Assessment. 

• Set up a rapid response team (triage). 

• Develop a wider range of referrals (e.g. police, voluntary sector). 

• Set up a call centre/helpline. 

• Find a way to compensate people who incur transport costs because they live in more 

remote areas. 

• Consider the model of children’s services in Moray which has developed good 

arrangements for information sharing including local community networks and 

assessment meetings. 

• Consider the possibility of a single referral agency in Moray. 

• Develop standard letters/mandates to share. 

• Set up a walk-in out of hours service for drug and alcohol users. 

• Review commissioning. Develop a single system. 

• Review capability/capacity in system. 

• Be creative with resources and staffing. 

• Involve service users to make sure that the needs of users are captured. 

• The DAAT should control “relevant funding”. Consider ring fencing. 

• Be clear about the needs for services. Pull them together and prioritise. 

• Consider whether there is a case for a new service. 

• Develop a more consistent service via GPs. 

• Direct access to Moray Drug and Alcohol service. 

• Outreach services operating throughout Moray.

• Support for access by finding ways to alleviate the problems with transport. 

B3. Workshop 2: Assessment and planning and delivery (of care) 

3.7 In this workshop, participants discussed: (a) the development and 

implementation of effective assessment; and (b) the way to make planning and 

delivery more effective. 

(a) Assessment 

Barriers 

3.8 Participants identified the following key issues that affect the implementation 

of effective assessment: 

• GPs are often the first contact point for substance misusers but they may not be 

experienced or skilled in assessment for drug and for alcohol misuse which also requires a 

level of knowledge of the problem. 

• The complex range of problems and issues in a client’s life which require the involvement 

of a number of agencies in the assessment (and subsequent planning and delivery of care): 

for example, Jobcentre Plus can assist with problems such as rent arrears. 

• Moray single shared assessment (SSA) and drug and alcohol assessment is not finalised. 

• There may be scepticism among service users about the assessment process, including the 

value of information sharing. 

• The differences in cultures between agencies. 

• The difficulties of setting up IT and communication systems. 

• There is a possible mismatch between strategic and operational views in Moray about 

what is actually happening particularly with single shared assessment. However, there is 

a commitment to make it work. 

• All stakeholders have not been consulted e.g. Turning Point. 

• Lack of resources including time spent with clients. 

• Lack of information sharing. 

Ways to support the development of effective assessment 

• The DAAT should take the lead responsibility for developing and agreeing a strategic 

approach to assessment in Moray in line with joint future requirements to implement 

SSA for drug and alcohol users by April 2005. Senior managers from all key agencies 

should be involved. This should include voluntary sector agencies. 

• Involve all agencies who may have a role in delivering services to a client e.g. Jobcentre 

Plus, voluntary agencies. 

• Develop guidelines on the assessment process to which all agencies and staff will work. 

This should include the partnership working and information sharing. There may be a

model in the children services area where the voluntary sector is included in this kind of 

process at the moment. 

• Consider how the information gathered by health visitors could be shared as part of the 

overall assessment where children are involved. Health visitors do family needs 

assessment as part of their role. Clear guidelines would be required. 

• Develop local agreements on information sharing supported by IT and communication 

systems. There is a central database in Forres developed through e-care. It may be 

possible to learn from other areas or other client groups. 

• Be clear about who is the lead professional or agency. To ensure that the process is 

carried out effectively when a number of agencies/service providers are involved, 

assessors need to have a level of authority. Written standards for response times for other 

agencies could also make the process more efficient. Linked to this, there may be a need 

for a care manager role. 

• Define groups who need/do not need SSA. 

• The DAAT should encourage and support trust and a shared understanding of roles 

and cultures between services. This should include raising the knowledge and 

understanding among agencies of the services that other agencies provide. The DAAT 

should also seek to establish a formal relationship between services. 

• Consider what resources, including time, are required to ensure effective assessment. 

• Develop and deliver more awareness raising and training on assessment. 

• Create a post for a generic, neutral person, not attached to any one service to do the 

assessment and draw in the appropriate services. Across Moray there could be a team of 

such people working independent of services. 

3.9 The illustrative case study of “Harry” (see Annex 3) was used by some groups 

to stimulate discussion of assessment. One group came up with a list of questions and 

issues that might be addressed in the assessment of “Harry”. 

• Where is he storing the drugs? 

• Where is he getting drugs? 

• Where is he getting the money? 

• Is the dealer coming to the house? 

• What drug information does he have? 

• Does he know the risks? 

• Where is he storing the needles and disposing of needles? 

• Has he been sharing his equipment/BBV concerns? 

• Is there concern about his family in relation to blood-borne viruses? 

• What is the drug history? 

• Assess mental health. 

• Assess for withdrawal both physical and psychological.

• Look at employability and education. 

• Look at partner’s needs – is partner willing to support Harry. 

• Motivation assessed. 

• Level of support required – ongoing. 

• Family support – is counselling available? 

• Is Harry suitable for rehab? 

• What is the legal situation and/or social work involvement? 

(b) Planning and delivery of care 

3.10 In the discussion on planning and delivery of care, participants considered the 

illustrative case study of “Harry”. 

3.11 Within the current structure and pattern of services in Moray, participants felt 

that Harry would probably be referred to MDAS, perhaps with a 2/3 day waiting time 

for an appointment. He would receive a Single Shared Assessment with specialist 

drug and alcohol component leading to the development of an action plan. Social 

Work would provide co-ordination but there was some uncertainty whether this would 

cover all aspects of the care plan. 

3.12 Participants thought that more integrated services would be working together 

in partnership and that there would be a better range of services. Important aspects of 

that integrated planning and delivery would be: information sharing protocols; a care 

co-ordinator; single shared assessment; and better monitoring and evaluation. There 

would be joint resourcing; better training and awareness raising for staff and more 

accountability. 

3.13 In the wider discussion the following key factors that would influence the 

development of integrated planning and delivery were identified: 

• Identifying the service providers who would contribute to the planning and delivery of 

care. Participants highlighted the role of Moray Drug and Alcohol Services and their 

connections to GPs and to health services more widely. The social work team in MDAS 

are the contact for other needs such as housing. They would liaise with other staff in 

other services. To some extent staff within MDAS takes on a key worker role and there 

are criteria governing how this works. The Youth Justice service also has a care coordinating 

role. 

• Discussing and agreeing which service, and who, would be the focus for the client 

among the identified range of services. 

• Developing and agreeing guidelines for all agencies to follow. Many working 

relationships are based on personality. It is important to get away from that with links 

and communication carried out on a consistent basis. 

• There is a need to review co-located services e.g. Moray Drug and Alcohol Services. 

Perhaps this could be improved further.

• The importance of measuring the change in the individual and of clients’ participation in 

that process. 

• The importance of information sharing. 

• The need to involve service users. 

• The need for accountability among and across services. The Drug and Alcohol National 

Occupational Standards (DANOS) assist with this process. 

• The need for monitoring and evaluation of the whole process. 

• Education and awareness raising among professionals. 

B4. Group Discussion 2 

3.14 Participants again divided into groups of 4-6 and discussed recommendations 

and actions to achieve improved accessibility, assessment and planning and delivery 

for substance misusers in an integrated care approach. 

3.15 An important point was that the Drug and Alcohol Action Team has 

responsibility for all of the proposed actions and should be addressing them at both 

strategic and operational level. 

3.16 The key areas for action for accessibility were: 

• Agreement between agencies. 

• Establish a clear lead accountability and ensuring that lines of accountability for all 

services are established. 

• Pool funding and make it accessible to all. 

• Find ways to ensure that there is service user input/ownership. 

• Develop integrated links into housing and other services. 

• Set up a drop-in centre for people with drug/alcohol problems. 

• Create a real one-stop shop – open 24 hours, including a drop-in centre with range of 

services, more staff, staffed access, custody etc. Set up a steering group (at 

DAAT/strategic level) to take forward. 

• Develop and agree a young people’s policy by March 2005. This should include 

underage drinking. 

3.17 The key areas for action for assessment were: 

• Agreement on an assessment system shared by all agencies and service users. 

• Agreement on protocols and use of tools. 

• Ensure that there is a clear process for moving forward the assessment with links to all 

relevant parties. 

• Take immediate action to create a new post: a neutral, generic person to carry out 

assessment. This should be the responsibility of partnerships across Moray.

• Finalise and implement Single Shared Assessment but simplified. There should be 

baseline assessment and “bolt-ons” for individual services. This should happen by April 

2005. 

• Ensure more effective liaison between police and specialist teams. 

• Ensure training for all staff, including multi-agency training, in agencies/service 

providers. Both individual agencies and the DAATs need to take responsibility for this. 

3.18 The key areas for action for planning and delivery (of care) were: 

• Agree aims and values; protocols and ways of working. 

• Improve communication between agencies. 

• Pool funding. 

• Clearly identify needs and ensure that service users are part of process. 

• Develop mobile services. 

• Involve service users throughout. 

• Implement a care management approach. 

• Set up a one-stop shop and drop-in centre (as above under Accessibility). 

3.19 Other areas of action were identified: 

• Ensure that all relevant service providers use SMR24 to record information. The DAAT 

should take the lead. 

• Improve service user involvement and participation. 

• Make funding arrangements effective. 

• Improve accessibility for service users i.e. addressing transport; communication through 

text, phone calls etc; use simpler language (no jargon) and keep it simple. 

B5. Single Action or Development 

3.20 Using no more than three words, participants were asked to describe the single 

action required to move ahead with integrated care: 

• Adopt a needs led approach. 

• Use open clear communication. 

• Communication, communication, communication. 

• “Listen then act”. 

• “Opinions then act”. 

• “Listen or else”. 

• “Let’s do it”.

4. Conclusion 

4.1 This seminar was well attended (41 people) by a good number of key 

stakeholders. The majority of attendees came from operational managers and 

practitioners, although strategic managers and service users attended. There was also 

good attendance by a group of young people. The event provided a forum for active, 

open and frank discussion. 

4.2. A number of key findings and suggestions for improvement were made which could 

form a basis for future action planning towards an integrated framework for planning, 

delivering and monitoring substance misuse services in Moray. One of the key features of the 

seminar was the commitment demonstrated by participants on the day and, more importantly, 

the desire to develop and deliver better integrated services for drug and alcohol users. It was 

also acknowledged that there are currently several good practice examples of work being 

undertaken in Moray; both between specialist services, and between specialist and generic 

services. 

4.3. The analysis of the returned evaluation forms provided generally positive feedback. 

The vast majority of people felt that seminar objectives were met and the event was relevant, 

useful and enjoyable. 

4.4. The challenge is for key stakeholders to get together, to discuss how to consolidate 

progress to date in the light of this report, to agree common goals and an action plan to 

improve integrated care for substance users in Moray. The Effective Interventions Unit will 

follow up the outcome of the seminar and provide further support if requested. 

Effective Interventions Unit 

February 2005

Annex 1 

Seminar programme 

09.00 Tea/coffee and Registration 

09.30 Formal welcome and setting the scene 

Andrew Fowlie, Chair, Moray Drug and Alcohol Action Team 

09.40 Evidenced based practice - Integrated Care: a national 

overview 

Patricia Russell, Head of Effective Interventions Unit 

09.55 Group discussion 1 

10.15 Implementing Joint Future 

Mike Martin, Joint Improvement Unit, Scottish Executive 

10.30 Workshop 1 - Accessibility of services in Moray 

11.20 Tea/coffee 

11.35 Workshop 2 - Integrated care: assessment and planning and 

delivery of care 

12.45 Lunch 

13:30 Treatment, care and support: client & service provider 

perspectives 

Jamie Barclay, Service User and Lorraine MacLoed, Team Leader, 

Cranstoun Drug Services Scotland 

13.50 Introduction to group discussion 2 

Patricia Russell 

13.55 Group discussion 2 - An action focus to develop integrated 

care in Moray 

14:35 Actions speak louder than words 

Fraser Ross, Development Officer, Moray DAAT Support Team 

14.50 Tea/coffee 

15:00 Feedback and plenary 

Facilitators and panel 

15.25 Summary and close 

Patricia Russell

Annex 2 

Delegate brief (summary) 

The delegate brief disseminated to participants contained information about the joint 

organisers of the seminar, the aim and objectives of the day, the format and workshop 

information. WE have summarised this information below: 

Aim 

To explore ways to develop and deliver integrated care for substance misusers in Moray. 

Objectives 

� To examine the present availability and accessibility of services and their connections. 

� To examine key elements of integrated care and how these could apply to local 

coordination of planning and delivery of services. 

� To identify key priorities, responsibilities and processes for local action planning. 

Group discussion exercise 

Q1 What are the advantages and disadvantages to your clients of an integrated care 

approach? 

Q2 What would you have to do to start developing and implementing integrated care in 

Moray? 

Workshop 1 – Accessibility of services in Moray 

Q1 What services currently exist for substance users (both specialist and generic)? 

Q2 What are the links and referral routes? Are there gaps or bottlenecks? Duplication? 

Q3 To what extent do you think the range of services, including the referral 

arrangements, meet the needs of the substance using population in Moray? 

Q4 How could services be made more accessible within an integrated care approach? 

Workshop 2 – Assessment and planning and delivery of care 

Assessment

Q1 What supports the development and implementation of effective assessment, and in 

particular shared assessment, in Moray? What factors hinder that development? 

Q2 Thinking about Harry, how could assessment be made more effective within an 

integrated care approach? 

Planning and delivery of care 

Q1 If Harry was in Moray and he had had his assessment, what would happen to plan and 

deliver his care now? 

Q2 If planning and delivery were more integrated what would happen to him then? 

Group Discussion – An Action focus to develop integrated care in Moray 

Q1 What are the key areas for action to achieve improved accessibility for substance 

users by the end of 2005? 

Q2 What are the key areas for action to achieve effective assessment by the end of 2005? 

Q3 What are the key areas of action to achieve integrated planning and delivery of care 

for substance users by the end of 2005? 

Q4 What are the other key areas of action necessary to achieve integrated are for 

substance users by the end of 2005? 

Q5 In no more than 3 words, what single action or development do you think needs to 

happen to make integrated care possible and workable?

Annex 3 

Case Study 

One of the key principles of integrated care is that it should be person-centred. Agencies/service providers should 

work together to co-ordinate the planning and delivery of care to drug (and alcohol) users that focus on the assessed 

needs of the individual. 

Case Study (Hypothetical) – Introducing Harry 

Harry is 24 years old. He lives with his long-term partner who is not a drug user. They have 2 young children under 5. 

His partner is concerned about the impact of his drug use on the family. He has built up rent arrears. The family 

income is mostly being spent on drugs. Harry has just lost his place on a training course due to poor attendance and 

performance. He has recently been arrested for the first time under the Misuse of Drugs Act. A Court disposal of bail 

has been awarded pending trial and Social Work background reports. 

Harry has been using a range of substances since he was 16. Recently, drugs have become cheaper and more available 

in his neighbourhood (Tomintoul). Harry’s drug use is increasing and is becoming increasingly problematic. He has 

started injecting heroin which has caused abscesses and swelling around injecting sites. 

Harry has never sought help before but now wants to come off drugs. He contacted his GP who referred him to 

Moray Drug and Alcohol Services for help to address his needs and aspirations. 

An assessment process has been initiated; the output of which is an Action Plan. The Action Plan sets out Harry’s 

needs, goals and proposed services. This will support and enable Harry and service providers to jointly plan, deliver 

and co-ordinate an appropriate package of care for Harry and his family in a consistent and integrated way. 

[NB The Action Plan will also aid needs assessment and gap analysis.]

Annex 4 

List of registered participants 

Andrea Anderson The Moray Council 

Jamie Barclay Service User 

James Baxter 

Maureen Burrows Forres Academy 

Veronica Campbell Moray Drug and Alcohol Services 

John Campbell Turning Point Scotland 

Venessa Case STRADA 

Laura Clunas Aberlour Child Care Trust - Moray Youth Action 

David Cook Turning Point Scotland 

Linda Cordiner Speyside High School 

Graeme Cronkshaw NHS Grampian 

Jenny Devlin Forres Academy 

Alice Duncan Moray Resource Centre 

Mel Foley Moray Drug and Alcohol Services 

Andrew Fowlie Moray Community Health and Social Care Partnership 

Linda Glen Medical Centre, Elgin 

Lesley Graham The Moray Council 

Hazel Grant Moray College 

Trisha Hall Aberlour Child Care Trust - Moray Youth Action 

Jill Hamilton The Moray Council 

Helen Hayes STRADA 

Rebecca Hogarth Moray Community Health and Social Care Partnership 

Graeme Jarvis The Moray Council 

Kayleigh Kearns Moray College 

Dr Richard Kennedy Forres Health Centre 

Wendy MacDonald Jobcentreplus 

Grant MacDonald Speyside High School 

Lorraine MacLeod Cranstoun Drug Services Scotland 

Mike Martin Joint Future Unit, Scottish Executive 

Christine McClusky Moray Community Health and Social Care Partnership 

Alistair MacDonald HM Prison Inverness 

Elizabeth McFarlane Medical Centre, Elgin 

Linda McKerron NHS Grampian 

Jenny McLean Moray Community Health and Social Care Partnership 

Faye Miller Speyside High School 

Peter Mutch Elgin Academy 

Brenda O'Neil Moray Drug and Alcohol Services 

Fraser Ross Moray Drug and Alcohol Action Team 

Clr. Ron Sim The Moray Council 

Jean Sinclair Moray Drug and Alcohol Services 

Jean Stewart Lossiemouth High School 

Tracie Symington The Moray Council 

Liz Tait Moray Community Health and Social Care Partnership 

Jacqui Taylor SCVO 

Jenny Tidey Moray Community Health and Social Care Partnership 

Lenitia VanHoff Community Mental Health team

Annex 5 

Evaluation: summary 

1. How well do you feel the objectives of the 

event were met? 

2. How useful was the event to you? 

Total 

Answered 

3. Which part of the programme did you find most useful? 

26 

25 

5 

(High) 

5 

(19%) 

6 

(24%) 

4 3 2 1 

(Low) 

9 

(35%) 

8 

(32%) 

10 

(38%) 

10 

(40%) 

Speakers 6 

Group discussion 1 4 

Workshops 22 

Group discussion 2 11 

Feedback and plenary 2 

4. Please comment on the 

content of the Workshop and 

the method used 

2 

(8%) 

0 

0 1 

(4%) 

• The facilitated workshop was best because it kept us on track. 

• Workshops very worthwhile; frank and honest discussion. Made good contacts. 

• The workshop was really interesting and I felt well involved. 

• What I heard has been 70% of the same procedures that has been done with 

community planning. 

• Felt that they allowed time for discussion and were made better by the use of a 

facilitator. 

• Well facilitated and organised. 

• People talk so much jargon, buzzwords etc., it makes you wonder if they really know 

what they are talking about. 

• Excellent – very informative. 

• Workshops were beneficial as they helped to show everyone was coming from the 

same direction- client centred services. 

• Well organised and paced, lead questions useful. 

• Still unsure of how to access these services and integrate with the DAAT. Useful for 

networking and for becoming more aware of drug and alcohol services. 

• Workshops were informative and generated a great deal of discussion and ideas. 

• Content and methods were helpful. 

• Workshops good, although the mapping part was unclear. 

• Quite useful, but poor attendance of some core agencies (maybe thinking of 

conference fatigue?) made discussion limited. Nevertheless, very helpful. 

• Very good! 

• Felt very repetitive and I’m not sure that the objectives of the workshops were 

achieved. Need to learn lessons from elsewhere and stop reinventing the wheel. Poor 

participation of partners e.g. children’s panel, housing officers, social work managers, 

care group managers etc. And what was the point of mapping? 

• Good visual stimulus/material. 

• The workshops were really good as they were interactive.

5. Please comment on the 

content and methods of the 

group discussions 

6. Please rate this event in terms of: 

• The talking at the beginning was a little long. 

• Very rewarding - other agencies have the same problems as me. 

• Enjoyable and interesting. 

• We all had an equal say which was good! 

• Quite interesting. 

• Good use of tools. 

• Bit light on ‘facilitation’. 

• Very good. 

• Structured, which was useful as ‘tangents’ were avoided. 

• First group discussion – didn’t have enough time. Second group discussion was good. 

• Useful. 

• The second group discussion questions were very hard to answer. 

• Guidelines were useful, although the facilitator would have driven them. 

• Beneficial to realise that everyone wants to work together to move services forward. 

• Very relevant. 

• I think that we should be given material in advance to read up on and be more 

prepared. 

• It was very good. 

• Good. Allowed heated discussion that was focussed. 

• My group worked well together and the content of the discussions was important and 

very educational. 

• Very positive. 

Total 

Answered 

5 

(High) 

Content of the Event 25 8 

(32%) 

Format of the event 25 7 

(28%) 

Accessibility of location 25 13 

(52%) 

7. Please rate the venue and the arrangements individually: 

Total 5 

Answered (High) 

Pre event information 24 3 

(12%) 

Venue 24 10 

(42%) 

4 3 2 1 

(Low) 

10 

(40%) 

9 

(36%) 

9 

(36%) 

5 

(20%) 

9 

(36%) 

2 

(8%) 

2 0 

(8%) 

0 0 

1 

(4%) 

4 3 2 1 

(Low) 

4 9 5 3 

(17%) (38%) (21%) (12%) 

7 6 1 0 

(29%) (25%) (4%) 

0

Reception Arrangements 24 8 

(33%) 

Catering 24 4 

(17%) 

Delegate Packs 24 14 

(58%) 

Presentations 24 9 

(38%) 

8. Please comment here on 

any other aspect of the event: 

8 

(33%) 

9 

(38%) 

6 

(25%) 

12 

(50%) 

8 

(33%) 

7 

(29%) 

4 

(17%) 

3 

(12%) 

0 0 

4 0 

(17%) 

0 0 

0 0 

• Very good networking for isolated agencies. 

• All was good and valuable information. 

• The talks at the beginning were too long for us to concentrate on. 

• I am really pleased that people were able to respond to young people’s needs. 

• It would have been useful to have copies of the presentations and local information in 

the delegate packs. The venue was freezing cold. Great coffee but very poor lunch. 

The presentations were repetitive. 

• Very good. 

• Good attempt to get discussion going. Might be useful to plan a follow up, but 

commission research around evidence based practice to inform as well as user 

participation/involvement. 

• Presentations were similar. 

• Content of the day – too much for one day. I found it hard to find solutions to 

objectives 2 and 3 especially. It was difficult to find common ground. Integrated care 

seems a long way off! If no agreement can be made in one day in a theoretical sense, 

what hope is there in practice?! However I live in hope! 

• Integrated care – how do other services access or refer to drug and alcohol teams? 

(Availability, waiting times, lack of resources) 

• I was surprised that the hotel staff were not better trained – they were intrusively noisy 

when clearing away and had a loud radio playing in the kitchen which drowned out the 

presentations! 

• It was disappointing that there was no representation from GP services. 

• The idea is great. The need is there. We just never seem to get beyond the talking. 

• I thought it was really good. 

• The main room was cold and at times very noisy. 

• Need to look at how information is promoted (pre-event). I think this was evident in 

the people who were not here. 

• It was good. 

• Great. 

• I didn’t know about the event until the last minute. I drove to the main entrance of the 

hotel before being directed to the rear.



Annex 2 – Moray Community Safety project plan

Community Safety Action Plan 2005-2008 

4.1.1 Tackling Substance Misuse and it’s Effects in the Community – Young People 

Project Lead – Sergeant Paul Bremner, Grampian Police(Local Authority Liaison Officer) 

Initiative/Lead 

Officer 

Employment of 

Drug and 

Alcohol 

Adviser (NHS)/ 

Elaine Brown 

Direct Access 

Treatment 

Service/ 

Fraser Ross 

(Moray DAAT) 

Moraywide 

Needs 

Analysis/ 

Fraser Ross 

(Moray DAAT) 

Aims of Initiative Details of Initiative Budget 

per year 

To employ a drug and 

alcohol adviser in 

Moray to further coordinate 

work in this 

field. 

To introduce a direct 

access treatment 

service for Young 

People in Moray. 

To identify key areas 

for action and 

highlight current gaps 

in service provision, 

in relation to 

substance misuse. 

The postholder will be based at NHS Grampian. As well 

as their role within the NHS they will take on a coordinating 

role in relation to campaigning and will provide 

support to relevant initiatives. They will also develop a 

media strategy for the project ensuring consistent and 

relevant publicity in relation to substance misuse. 

Main tasks will include – Reporting gaps in prevention 

services and producing plans for improvement, 

development of referral policies across partnership, and 

the ongoing development of initiatives and external 

funding opportunities to achieve project targets. 

The main thrust behind the creation of this service, is the 

need for a more accessible and user friendly service for 

young people wishing to address substance misuse 

issues. 

It is anticipated that this will greatly assist the Partnership 

in their targets set for increasing treatment service use by 

Young People. 

A needs analysis to be conducted around Moray in 

relation to the service provision and support available to 

people who have substance misuse issues. Once 

completed this would provide a clearer and stronger 

evidence base from which to direct our activities in Years 

2 and 3. 

£16,000 Yr 1 

(additional 

£10,000 from 

NHS to fully 

fund post for 3 

years) 

£17,500 

Yr 2 and 3 

Funds to be 

accessed 

through Drug 

Treatment 

Plan 

DAAT) 

(Moray 

Up to £10,000 

(additional 

match funding 

available 

through Moray 

Outcome Measurement Progress 

• Drug and Alcohol Adviser 

• 

employed. 

Referral policies created. 

• Improvement plans produced. 

• Number of initiatives initiated. 

• Service created. 

• Number of Young People 

• 

accessing service. 

Feedback from Young People 

accessing service. 

• Needs Analysis produced for 

Moray. 

• Number of recommendations 

made relevant to project.

Pub Watch/ 

Constable 

Moar 

A 

To discourage the 

inappropriate use of 

alcohol among 

residents of Moray. 

To ensure that once a 

person is banned 

from one licensed 

premise that person 

is automatically 

banned from all 

licensed premises in 

the area. 

The Pub Watch scheme is a partnership between the 

Licensed trade and Grampian Police to address anti 

social behaviour. Moray Pub Watch, launched in Elgin, 

includes all Licensed premises within the area. 

The scheme can be used to good effect in getting the 

underage-drinking message across. It also provides a 

strong link with licensees which allows for more effective 

joint working. The group during the course of each year 

will introduce a number of initiatives aimed at reducing 

the harm caused by irresponsible use of alcohol among 

young people. 

DAAT) 

Yr 1 funding 

only 

£2,000 

• Retain the current pubs involved 

in the scheme. 

• Expand scheme to other towns. 

• Number of initiatives introduced.


Officer 

Licensing Door 

Stewards/ 

Constable A 

Moar 

Health 

Promotions 

Mobile Bus for 

Young People/ 

C Kirkwood 

Training For 

Managers/ 

Susan Doran 

NHS Home 

Safety/ 

Liz Tait 




alcohol among 

residents of Moray. 

To ensure that all 

registered door 

stewards undergo 

compulsory training 

and are of good 

character. 

To encourage young 

people in rural areas 

to access information 

which will support 

them in making 

positive lifestyle 

choices. 

Assist with 

implementation of 

Alcohol and Drug 

policies in the 

workplace. 

To reduce the level of 

home accidents with 

particular focus on 

those accidents 

The Moray Licensing Board is running the Registration of 

door stewards. All licensed premises that require a 

regular extension to permitted hours and employ a 

doorman are only allowed to employ registered Door 

Stewards. 

This provides the opportunity to increase awareness of 

door staff to underage-drinking, binge drinking and will 

also cover crime reduction in relation to alcohol/drug 

misuse. 

The Mobile Information Bus, a project initiated by Health 

Promotions, NHS Grampian, is located permanently in 

Moray. Young people in rural areas identified that they 

needed a range information and support to enable them 

to make positive lifestyle choices. The MIB is staffed by 

a partnership of health staff and youth workers. 

The use of the Mobile Information Bus will be targeted at 

those areas most affected by substance misuse in young 

people. It will also be used in a supporting role as part of 

operations on the ground. 

Audience: Managers 

Agencies: Training to be available to managers in all 

Moray organisations. 

Half day training for managers to support implementation 

of Alcohol and Drugs Policies in the workplace. 

Scotland’s Health at Work (SHAW) training package to 

be used for Small to Medium Enterprises (SMEs). 4 half 

day training sessions for 20 managers @ £300 each 

Audience: All age groups with a focus on early years and 

young people 

Agencies: NHS Grampian, Grampian Fire Brigade 

Education and Awareness raising for parents, adults, and 

per year 

No Budget 

£5,000 

Yr 1 

£6,500 



• Number 

trained. 

of Door Stewards 

• Evaluation of scheme by owners 

• Number of locations/duration of 

bus visit. 

• Number of visitors. 

• Number of partners participating 

to support scheme/staffing. 

• Number 

supported. 

of operations 

£1,500 • Number of businesses and 

organisations 

training. 

undertaking 

• Number implementing relevant 

policies. 

£2,700 • Number of inputs provided. 

• Feedback from audience. 

• Number of home accidents 

through substance misuse.

Awareness 

Raising 

Sessions/ 

Elaine Brown 

Initiatives/Lead 

Officer 

Diversionary 

Scheme (Arts 

& Sports 

Initiatives)/ 

N Goodchild 

Anti 

Alcohol/Drugs 

Summer 

Workshop/ 

Sue Holden 

where substance 

misuse is a factor. 

To better inform 

children/young 

people, parents, 

teachers, off licenses, 

publicans, hospitals, 

and community 

groups, regarding the 

issues/dangers 

surrounding 

substance misuse. 

community groups with a particular focus on safety in the 

home for under 5’s. 

Awareness raising/education for young people and adults 

in relation to accidents caused by substance misuse 

(alcohol, drugs, tobacco) - prevention of fire, injury, 

health risks, personal safety 

Agencies: NHS Grampian, Police, Community 

Development teams, Childcare agencies 

General and targeted sessions to raise awareness on 

local issues relating to alcohol, binge drinking, access to 

alcohol, responsibility of parents, adults, off licenses, 

publicans, supermarkets. Awareness raising of local bylaws. 

Key messages. Health, accident and injury risks, 

personal safety. 

Current information and issues relating to drugs, local 

drug scene and solvents. Awareness raising and 

education for communities (as above). 




drugs and alcohol 

among residents of 

Moray, particularly 

young people, to 

promote more 

positive forms of 

behaviour by young 

people. 

To encourage young 

people to take on 

board the anti drug 

message, through the 

use of live 

performances. 

The Arts Development and Sports Development Officers 

have recently completed a combined project to work with 

target group across Moray over a period of 3 years. 

Central to the ongoing development of the project will be 

an emphasis on using the arts and sports as tools to 

work with and target young people. In particular those 

who are vulnerable or at risk of being socially excluded or 

drawn into anti-social and potentially criminal behaviour. 

To work with identified young people who have misused 

substances, by engaging them in drama/music related 

activities. The main aims are to raise awareness of, and 

prevent the misuse of substances amongst young 

people. 

A Saturday drama/music workshop will commence in 

spring 2005 to prepare the most excluded young people 

£5,000 • Number of inputs provided. 

• Feedback from groups. 

Per year 

£5,000 

£4,000 


• Number of people targeted for 

the scheme. 

• Number of people using the 

scheme. 

• Feedback from participants 

• Number of Young People in 

workshop. 

• Number and location of 

• 

performances. 

Feedback from Young People 

involved. 

• Reduction in numbers of young

Detached 

Youth Arts 

Worker/Nick 

Fearne 

Outf!t Moray/ 

Ian Jamieson 

and Sue 

Holden 

To divert young 

people away from 

misusing substances 

by working with them 

on the street, in 

priority areas. 

To provide young 

people between the 

ages of 12-16 with a 

variety of outdoor 

activities in a range of 

settings. 

for inclusion in the summer project. The group will then 

engage in a one week workshop with a performance 

team (7:84) prior to performing their show to the public. 

This event was successfully run in 2004 and attracted 

national media attention. The initiative will continually 

develop to take account of the main project priorities. 

A newly created post where the worker has 4 hours 

targeted contact with young people on the streets each 

week. The worker is able to interact with young people at 

risk of/engaging in substance misuse, and is able to offer 

alternatives, introducing them to a variety of arts 

diversions. 

The programme will provide young people between the 

ages of 12-16 with a variety of outdoor activities in a 

range of settings. As part of the Community Safety 

project, there will be specific targeting of young people 

who are known to misuse substances or who are at risk 

of this. The programme will be developed around the 

needs of specific groups in consultation with 'key 

workers' and the young people concerned. In order to 

maximise resources available, commercial and voluntary 

providers will be used to deliver programmes. These 

programmes will be discussed with particular providers to 

ensure the programme's needs are met. 

£5,000 

£5,000 

people involved in substance 

misuse. 

• Number of young people having 

contact. 

• Number of hours worker 

engaged in role. 

• Number 

undertaken. 

of initiatives 

• Number of young people 

participating in initiatives. 

• Number of young people who 

participate in activities. 

• Number of activities. 

• Focussed 

participants 

feedback from


Officer 

Global Rock 

Challenge/ 

Sgt Paul 

Bremner 

Wilful Fires 

Action Team/ 

D Thewliss 

(GFRS) 


A national initiative 

designed to enhance 

young peoples skills 

in team building, 

social skills and to 

provide an alternative 

to drug misuse. 

Through the Wilful 

Fires Action Team, 

continue to reduce 

the number of wilful 

fire-raising incidents 

year on year. 

The Global Rock Challenge is a UK wide dance 

competition for 11 to 18 year olds at school. The event 

has been successfully run for a number of years now. It 

encourages team building, social skills and most 

importantly is designed to divert young people away from 

drugs. 

In 2004, preparation and rehearsals took on average 4 

months, with almost 90% of this time being outwith 

school time. The initiative is an ideal way to promote 

positive messages about lifestyle choice. 

The overall aim of the funding provided is to support the 

two secondary schools that already participate and to 

encourage the scheme to be taken on by other schools. 

Fire-raising causes loss of life, injury and devastation to 

property. It is responsible for bringing misery and 

hardship, often to already deprived areas. The cost 

incurred by Grampian Fire and Rescue Service to pay 

fire crews to attend these incidents is substantial. The 

implications and costs associated with providing a 

response to these incidents are very significant. This 

will be addressed through a publicity campaign. 

Anecdotal evidence shows a link between wilful fires and 

substance misuse. The initiative aims to raise awareness 

Per year 

£4,000 

Yr 1 

£10,000 


£1,500 


• Number of pupils participating. 

• Number of schools participating. 

• Staff/Pupil 

schools. 

feedback from 

• Change in Attitudes 

questionnaire 

developed). 

results (to be 

• Reduction in number of willful 

fires 

• More accurate figures showing 

link with substance misuse.

Accidental 

Dwelling Fires/ 

D Thewliss 

(GFRS) 


Officer 

Operation 

Avon/Insp 

Jim Scott 

To work in 

partnership using a 

multi agency 

approach to educate 

and raise awareness 

to reduce the number 

of accidental dwelling 

fires in Moray year on 

year, with a base 

figure of 59 incidents 

for 2003/4. 

of and evidence this link in a more meaningful way and 

address the problem. 

The majority of dwelling fires are preventable. They 

mostly occur as a result of carelessness or inappropriate 

behaviour. The deaths, injuries and damage that they 

cause are therefore needless. Fairly simple steps taken 

by householders can prevent these types of incidents. 

Evidence has shown that attitudes can be changed by 

properly planned and resourced education campaigns. 

GFRS will target at risk groups as part of this initiative 

and education/action will focus on young people who are 

identified as at risk through substance misuse either by 

themselves or by others actions. GFRS will link with 

other partners to introduce a referral system for Home 

Risk Assessments. 

£1,700 


Police led partnership 

operation aimed at 

reducing underage 

drinking and 

A tried and tested Police operation which is ready for a 

larger scale rollout. The operation targets key 

times/locations for substantial resource allocation in the 

form of CBOs, Special Constables and Community 

Wardens. 

Per year 

£9,000 

Yr 1 

£10,000 


• 

• Number of accidental fires each 

year. 

• Number of home risk 

assessments conducted. 


• Number of operations 

• Resources funded by project 

• Number of young people dealt 

with for underage drinking.

Partnership 

Comms 

Fund/ 

Sgt Paul 

Bremner 

associated youth 

disorder. 

The money will be 

used as a fund to 

bolster initiatives 

where there is a need 

for additional support 

in terms of media, 

printed materials, etc. 

in order to raise 

public awareness. 

The funding will allow for 4 Police Officers and 1 

Supervisory Officer to be dedicated to Operation Avon 

once a month on average. These officers will provide the 

backbone of the operation and will be supplemented by 

Special Constables and Community Wardens. From this 

series of operations, it is hoped that a joint task group 

can be formed with NHS Grampian, Drug and Alcohol 

Workers and other appropriate agencies. The Mobile 

Information Bus will be used in a supporting role during 

high profile operations. 

A fund administered by the Partnership to assist 

initiatives with support and awareness raising. This 

allows for emerging issues perhaps to be highlighted or 

where a need for greater public awareness raising is 

required to help achieve an initiatives aims. 

£2,113 

Yr 1 

£3,113 


• Number of referrals emanating 

from operations. 

• Reduction in number of 

underage drinking /youth 

disorder reports. 

• Support provided to initiatives.

Community Safety Action Plan 2005-8 

4.1.2 Tackling Substance Misuse and it’s Effects in the Community – Road Safety 

Project Lead – Sergeant Paul Bremner, Grampian Police(Local Authority Liaison Officer) 


Officer 

Moray 

Accident 

Road 

Safety Group/ 

Inspector 

Small 

D 

Anti Drink 

Drive Event 

and Video/ 

Constable P 

Gordon 


Per year 

To promote safer 

driving in Moray. 

Working in partnership to promote safer driving across 

Moray and to continually run campaigns to address 

known risks through the use of statistical evidence. 

£3,500 

In relation to this 

project, initiatives will 

be focussed on 

Campaigns planned initially are to expand the use of 

Driving Ambition to all Secondary Schools in Moray and 

to introduce Young Driver Courses, all with a slant 

towards raising awareness of and preventing drink/drug 

reducing drink/drug 

driving and related 

accidents in Moray. 

driving. There will also be similar inputs aimed at over 

55s. 

To substantially raise 

awareness and the 

profile of drink driving 

in the area through 

the use of a unique 

learning tool. 

A controlled experiment which is to take place on private 

land. A selection of motorists representing our most at 

risk occupations, will take part in various reactionary and 

manoeuvrability exercises. They will be administered 

controlled amounts of alcohol and asked to repeat 

exercises. This is aimed at highlighting the real 

differences in driver perception when under the influence 

of a relatively small amount of alcohol. 

£3,000 Year 1 

(Sponsorship/ 

media support 

will be sought) 

£1,000 Year 2 

and 3 (To 

support 

ongoing 

production 

costs/distributi 

on. Possibility 

of raising 

funds to 

channel into 

new initiatives 

through sale of 

Video/DVD to 


• Number of initiatives. 

• Feedback from participants 

• Reduction in number of road 

accidents where drink/drugs are 

a factor. 

• Overall reduction in number of 

drink drivers. 

• Video produced. 

• Media coverage. 

• Number of times video is 

incorporated 

packages. 

into educational

Crimestoppers 

A Chandler 

To publicise and raise 

the profile of drink 

driving in Moray, 

encouraging more 

public reporting of 

incidents. 

This forms part of the national Crimestoppers priority and 

will take the form of radio publicity in Moray, along with a 

blanket poster campaign. 

The campaign aims to increase the amount of public 

reporting of persistent drink/drug drivers, whilst acting as 

a preventative measure to motorists. 

other 

agencies) 

£2,000 

• Number/location 

displayed. 

of posters 

• Number 

advertisements. 

of radio 

• Number of public reports to 

Crimestoppers.



Annex 3 – Moray DAAT research report completed by REAP

5. Contents Page 

Page 

Introduction and Background 2 

Who was consulted and where? 

3 – 6 

6. Methodologies 

7. 

Findings: 

Is there a drug problem in Moray? 7 – 8 

How easy is it to get drugs in your area? 9 – 12 

How easy is it to get alcohol in your area? 

12 

Issues around drug and alcohol addiction 

13 – 15 

What are the indicators that tell people they have a 

16 - 20 

problem with drugs and alcohol? 

Different Impacts of using different drugs and addiction 

21 - 23 

What are the barriers to people seeking help with drug 

24 - 30 

and alcohol addiction? 

Improving services 

Learning Points 

Action Points 

8. 

9. 

31 – 34 

35 

36

10. 

Introduction 

The Rural Environmental Project (REAP) was contacted by two individuals who 

wanted to explore the possibility of setting up a drug and alcohol drop-in service in 

Elgin. The approaches were made in November 2004 by an ex-cocaine user who 

had been clean for some time and by a member of the Moray Against Poverty 

Network research team who had experience of conducting action research into 

poverty through the “Voices from the Edge” report. 

After further discussion with Fraser Ross from the Moray Drug and Alcohol Team it 

was agreed that more evidence was needed at this point in time. Fraser felt that it 

was important to gauge more fully the level of drug taking in Moray and to explore 

the complex impacts and issues that arise for individuals and the wider community 

from sustained drug and alcohol misuse. It was felt by everyone involved that this 

information could then be used as a planning tool for the further development of 

more effective services addressing drug and alcohol misuse. 

11. Background 

One of the main strengths of this research was that the project had a long-term 

cocaine user on its research team who had extensive contacts in the drug and 

alcohol using community in Moray. The other two researchers also had a good local 

knowledge having just spent two years working on a significant piece of research for 

the Moray Against Poverty Network “Voices from the Edge”. The participatory 

research model used in the MAP research had been successful in evidencing the 

impacts of poverty and had given access to a number of grass roots contacts who 

could act as “gatekeepers” having direct and regular contact with drug and alcohol 

users. 

What the research wanted to find out were the views of current or recovering 

drug users in relation to the following questions… 

• Is there a perceived problem with drug and alcohol misuse in Moray? 

• If so how does that impact on individuals and communities? 

• Is it easy to access these substances? 

• How do individuals identify that they have a problem? 

• Where do they go for help? 

• What are the barriers that stop them seeking help and support?

• What do they think of existing services and what might be done to improve 

them? 

It is important to note that the views and opinions voiced in this research are those of 

the participants consulted and are not necessarily those held by the research team. 

The views and feedback may not always be “accurate” but as a perception should be 

given due consideration. 

In addition to the individual interviews and focus group sessions the researchers also 

visited the “Blast“ drug project in Inverness to observe their activities and make 

tentative comparisons between the situation there and in Moray. 

Who has been consulted and where? 

Targeting Users 

The research team decided to target people who had or had recently had significant 

problems as a result of long-term drug and/or alcohol misuse. This was due in part to 

the lack of time and resources (a two month time frame with three researchers) and 

to the recognition of the starting point for this research: namely the perceived need 

for additional services and facilities in Elgin. 

Our research team knew many of those people consulted, and had current contact 

with them. The research team were aware of the bias that this might create and were 

careful not to lead participants into giving specific answers or encouraging any 

particular point of view. 

Elgin, Forres, Buckie and Keith were identified as the main areas to consult in and 

the research has been successful in covering all these areas. Semi-structured 

interviews (in pairs) were also set up with Moray users in Porterfield prison. 

Due to the time scale the research has not been as extensive and comprehensive as 

we would desired but we feel that in the time allocated it has raised some very 

interesting perspectives and useful comment on: 

• The complexity of the impacts of drug and alcohol misuse. 

• The wide range of issues that arise. 

• The perceived lack of “proper” services on offer to address these issues. 

12. 

13. Area 

16. 

17. Elgin 

Forres 

14. 15. How they were contacted 

13 

20 

Informal, Moray New Futures, Guildry House 

and Porterfield Prison interviews. 

Informal contacts, the Royal Hotel 

(multi-occupancy residence in Forres) 

4 Informal contacts, Moray New Futures

Buckie 

Fochabers 

Speyside 

Keith 

Total 

and the Porterfield Prison interviews. 

1 Moray New Futures. 

3 Informal contact, and Porterfield Prison interviews, 

3 Through The Loft Youth Project. 

44 

Table 1: Interviewees by Method of Initial Contact 

18. Where did those consulted come? 

The sampling was fairly even throughout Moray in relation to population and 

settlement given the time and resources. Forres comes out with a disproportionate 

number of people because of the focus group at the Royal Hotel was so well 

attended. 

19. 

20. Age 

Where we consulted people in Moray 

4 

1 

3 3 

20 

13 

Chart 1: Interviewees by Area of Residence 

Elgin 

Forres 

Buckie 

Fochabers 

Speyside 

Keith 

The researchers did not purposely target any particular age bracket, although it is 

significant that some of the agencies that we used as gatekeepers have a remit to 

work with younger age groups e.g. Moray New Futures work with under 34’s and the 

Loft Youth Project specifically with young people under 24. However, this is balanced 

by the focus groups conducted in the Royal Hotel and Porterfield Prison that have no 

such restrictions. The age range of those consulted is shown in the table below. 

• Of those the research team spoke to 50% did not want to give their age or any 

details that they felt might identify them.

• From the 50% that did 71% were under the age of 30. 12% between 30 and 

40 and 17% over forty (all those the researchers spoke to over 40 had alcohol 

problems as opposed to problems with drugs) 

21. Gender 

8% 

4% 

Age groups consulted 

17% 13% 

under 20 

29% 

29% 

Chart 2: Interviewees by Age 

20-25 

25-30 

30-35 

35-40 

over 40 

The research team found it much easier to access men than women while 

conducting this research. One of the reasons for this was there was often issue of 

confidence, childcare and availability for women users. However, the figures for the 

Blast Drug Project (2003/2004) show that their client group gender breakdown was 

66% (male) to 34% (female). So perhaps this is an overall trend. 

10 

Methods Used to collect feedback 

Male/female ratio 

34 

Chart 3: Interviewees by Gender 

Male 

Female 

A questionnaire was designed as the basis of collecting both qualitative and 

quantitative information. A draft was then sent to Dawn Greisbach (Senior Research 

Officer) at the Effective Interventions Unit who gave some feedback, which was 

incorporated into the final version.

This research has been conducted in a more informal manner: to get more “inside” 

the experience of users by creating a trusting, familiar and “safe” environment. 

Conducting the research with a known member of the drug and alcohol “community” 

created short cuts because of an assumed understanding of the culture and the 

specific language surrounding it. 

Many of the interviews and one of the focus groups were deliberately held in 

welcoming environments such as cafes and pubs and included providing meals 

creating an added incentive for people to take part in the consultation. 

The questionnaire was used in three ways: 

• As a questionnaire given to people who are perceived as having or having 

recently had a significant problem with drugs/alcohol. 

• As the basis for a semi-structured interview, collecting more in-depth 

“textured” comment on a one to one basis. 

• As the base line for a focus group collecting comments in an informal group 

setting and identifying issues surrounding drug misuse in Moray. 

The research team also spent several hours at the Drug and Alcohol project “Blast” 

in Inverness and spoke to the staff at length. They confirmed that many of the issues 

coming up in this research were also the case in Highland.

Findings 

22. Is there a problem with Drugs and Alcohol in Moray? 

Nearly all those that were consulted said that they felt there was a drug and alcohol 

problem in their area. The researchers asked them to say why they felt that and 

several main themes came through. 

• That most of their friends were into drugs and alcohol and they knew about 

the problem from their own personal experiences and those of their peer 

group. 

“Yeah and one of my friends is dead he over dosed before Christmas, 

I feel for his mum she was real cut up. He was a good friend of 

mine.” 

“Mostly everyone I know takes drugs or alcohol” 

“Most of my friends use drugs and alcohol” 

“Was heavily involved in the supply of cocaine when I was younger” 

“My own experiences” 

“The amount of people I sold cocaine to in the small village I lived 

in 

and other places in the Moray area” 

“Most of the people I know use either drugs or drink” 

“Most people I know smoke cannabis”

“The amount of people I know with drug or alcohol dependency” 

“All the folk I know are into it” 

“Yes, god loads of folks I know are into drugs” 

• The physical environmental evidence of drug and alcohol use. 

“Maybe, as I see a lot of cans and bottles in the bin 

outside (hostel he stays at)” 

“Cans, needles and that in the bin” 

• Seeing the evidence in the wider community and word of mouth evidence 

Those that the researchers spoke to often considered themselves to be part of 

the “drug and alcohol” community. Many of them said that that was all they saw 

around them and that it was their norm. There was also a lot of comment that the 

number of those registered was the “tip of the iceberg”. As a research team it was 

very easy to find people that had serious alcohol and drug problems. This may be 

an indicator that the true extent of the overall picture of people that required 

radical intervention higher than what is currently reflected in the official Moray 

statistics. 

“Amount of folk you see messed up. 

“Have heard a lot of drugs raids through my friends in the 

Moray Area” 

“See people in daily use” 

“Because you can see and hear it” 

“Yes there is - 

often a lot of people are all out of their heads at 3.00pm 

here” 

“Just looking at people” 

“See them in their sorry states walking about like zombies” 

“In the summertime everyone comes out in the open and drinks 

outside in the braes,

y the harbour (Buckie) everyone is doing it” 

“Lots of people are on drugs” 

“Walk down Mid Street (Keith) on a Friday night-all my 

family drinks” 

How easy it is to get hold of drugs in your area? 

Of those consulted 60% felt that it was very easy to get hold of drugs in the area they 

lived in and 27% felt that it was easy. Of the 13% that felt it was difficult 50% lived in 

Buckie, and the others in Dufftown and Forres. 

Elgin as a main access point 

How easy do you think it is for people to get 

drugs in the area where you live? 

60% 

0% 13% 

27% 

Chart 4: Ease of Acquiring Drugs 

Very Difficult 

Difficult 

Easy 

Very Easy 

Those who found it difficult in their area said they found it easy to access drugs in 

Elgin. 

“I don’t see drugs in Buckie, I know people that take drugs

ut I assume they travel to get them” 

“Not so much in Aberlour but I think there is a problem in 

Elgin” 

“In Dufftown no but in Elgin, aye. 

Its nae that bad if you want anything you go to Elgin” 

Other places of Access 

“Easy to get what I want in Elgin” 

Forres also seemed to be an easy point of access for drugs, as well as going out of 

the county to Aberdeen and Fraserburgh. 

“Anything you want day or night in Forres” 

“I have to travel through to Fraserburgh and Aberdeen, 

my cousin is a biker I get my drugs from him” 

“Not so many drugs in Buckie. 

I go to Aberdeen and Fraserburgh for my hash” 

“Yes, but in Keith it’s mainly alcohol (all ages) there are so 

many pubs - 

people have always done that here” 

23. 

24. Who you know 

A significant number of those we spoke to linked availability of drugs to “who you 

know” dealers or friends and acquaintances that had access to drugs. 

“I know folk I know people that usually have it;

it all depends on who you know. Several folk you know to get 

drugs from” 

“If I wanted some I could get, 

but I don’t know a dealer or anything up here” 

“It just is but it’s who you know and what you want” 

“Got all the numbers I need in my mobile” 

25. Number of drug dealers in the area 

“Because I know people” 

26. 

27. Several of those the researchers spoke to said that there were a lot of 

drug dealers working in Moray. Of those the team spoke to 10% were or had 

been dealers 

28. themselves. All of them said they dealt drugs as a way to feeding their 

own addiction, not always in the beginning but after a while they did. 

“Very easy, there are a lot of drug dealers in Moray 

and if that is the case obviously there must be a problem” 

“Cause I never hear that it is hard to get drugs or alcohol 

as long as they have money” 

“The amount of times I have been offered various types of 

drugs by dealers” 

I’ve been the bad one, that’s sold them like, 

it was because I had a habit, the drugs take over, they do” 

29. Some drugs are easier to get hold of than others

33% 

7% 

13% 

Availability 

13% 

17% 

17% 

cocaine 

heroin 

speed 

ecstasy 

Hallucinagenics 

Cannabis 

Chart 5: Comment on the Easiest Drug to Obtain 

A third of the people we spoke to felt that cannabis was the easiest drug to get hold 

of, with heroin and amphetamines also easy to access. Ecstasy, cocaine and 

hallucinogenic were seen as being slightly more difficult to get hold of. 

”Cannabis is the easiest drug to get hold of” 

“All of them were easy for me to get hold of I was selling 

them” 

“I had my first ecstasy tablet at twelve” 

“Easy, especially cannabis. Most of us younger ones are into 

that. 

The older folks are into the heavier stuff - it all depends 

what you’re in tae” 

How easy is it for people to get hold of alcohol in the area that you live? 

29.1 

The consensus was that it is extremely easy to access alcohol. People commented 

on the number of pubs in most villages and towns (Keith was highlighted as having a 

high number of pubs) and the number of shops selling cheap alcohol especially big 

supermarkets such as ASDA and TESCO.

How easy do you think it is for people to get 

alcohol in the area where you live? 

Chart 6: Ease of Getting Alcohol by Area 

Very Difficult 

Difficult 

Easy 

Very Easy 

”So many shops sell it, and it’s cheap.” 

“It’s totally easy so many pubs in Keith alcohol is the main 

thing” 

Issues around Drug and Alcohol addiction 

Have you ever had a problem with drugs? 

62% of those we spoke to say that they had a significant problem with drugs. There 

was a small percentage not shown on the table below that took drugs (some on a 

daily basis) but did not feel that they had a problem. They saw their habit as a 

lifestyle choice and that their main difficulty was having enough income to maintain it 

Of the thirty eight that said they did not have a current problem with drugs many had 

had a problem with drugs in the past.

Have you ever had a problem with drugs? 

38% 

62% 

Chart 7: Interviewees by Response to Drug Problems 

30. 

31. 

32. “I use daily but don’t have a problem” 

33. 

34. “I had big habit myself, was involved in selling coke, 

35. my friends and family have all had a habit at one time or 

another” 

36. 

37. 

38. “I was addicted, I was chasing it, I got a real problem.” 

39. 

Love of Drugs 

Some participants highlighted reasons for getting into drugs such as coping with 

existing stress levels and emotional difficulties. Some felt that drugs such as 

cannabis “chilled them out” others loved the “high” and felt that some drugs gave 

them a “sense of belonging”. 

Yes 

No 

“Drugs and Alcohol can open the mind sometimes 

it’s a quest for knowledge” 

“There’s lots of stress in life, difficult emotions. 

Taking drugs and drinking has a lot to do with how people 

feel, 

difficulty coping with things makes people take drugs. 

With me it’s depression” 

“You’ve got to believe you have a problem first 

before you can do anything about it” 

“Just cannabis and ecstasy. 

Started on ecstasy when I was 16

used to take them put on my music full blast and feel top of 

the world 

Yeah, I felt like Arnold Schwarzenegger. 

I once took 16 tabs of ecstasy” 

“No problem, they chill me out” 

“I don’t see it as a problem (cannabis) just chills me out and 

that” 

40. 

41. Have you ever had a problem with alcohol? 

74% of those we asked said they had a problem with alcohol; a significant number of 

them also took drugs on a regular basis. Some said they had become alcohol 

dependent as part of the process of coming off drugs such as heroin and cocaine. 

Alcohol was seen in a different light from other drugs. There was a view that it was 

part of the Scots way of life, part of the culture. Alcohol is widely available, legal and 

more accepted by society as a hole than taking drugs. 

Have you ever had a problem with alcohol? 

26% 

74% 

Chart 8: Interviewees by Response to Problems with Alcohol 

“It’s not me asking for help. I don’t need help. 

It was my friends in Elgin that made me turn on to drink, it 

was boredom” 

“Yes, been an alcoholic for 15 years” 

“I was going to die so I knew I needed to change something 

fast” 

“Now its just alcohol. Litres and litres of cider and 40 oz 

bottles of vodka. 

Yes 

No

I’ll drink as much as I can get hold of” 

What are the indicators that tell people they have a problem with drugs and 

alcohol? 

We asked people to think about what made them first think that they had a problem 

with drugs and several themes emerged:

42. Break down of relationships 

People felt that one of the symptoms of having a drug/alcohol problem was a 

breakdown in relationships with their family and in particular partners and children. 

Some of those we spoke to have partners that were also misusing drugs/alcohol and 

this makes it even more difficult to sustain the relationship and to kick any kind of 

shared addiction. 

“Mum knew I did it; I smoked it in front of her. 

Nae had the guts to let my mum ken I am back on it” 

“No been anywhere. 

The drug and alcohol worker in the jail is trying to get help 

for me. 

I don’t want to lose the relationship with my girlfriend she’s 

carrying my baby” 

“Getting off the drink would help with the relationship with 

my girlfriend” 

“She (my partner) drinks and is violent and she hurts me, 

cuts my finger or bashes my head in, I’m sometimes covered in 

bruises. 

She’s the reason I’m in here (Jail) or sometimes I go and do 

something stupid 

like smash a telephone box so I can get a bed for the night 

cause the girlfriend has chucked me out” 

“Shops, my girlfriend and me were begging in the street just 

to get money for drink, 

but we’re not allowed to drink in the street, but we do” 

“I knew I had a problem when I got into trouble, 

I don’t want to lose anymore of what’s important to me: kids, 

girlfriend” 

Changes in behaviour, personality and mental health issues. 

Drugs like cannabis were perceived to have “chill out” effects whereas alcohol was 

seen to make people feel angry, violent and out of control.

Several of those we spoke to said that prolonged use of heroin and cocaine had 

radically changed their personalities and left them with long term side effects that 

were often unbearable. They outlined on-going nightmares, depression, paranoia, 

and agoraphobia that were often termed by them as “drug psychosis”. They felt that 

counselling was not always useful, they felt that initially medication and “destressing” 

techniques such as acupuncture and massage were sometimes more 

beneficial. 

“Been there and seen it. Violence, crime. 

People changing their personalities, their perspectives 

change. 

But heroin does the same thing to everyone gives you a one 

track mind” 

“I would get full of drugs then take a drink and then go 

mental” 

“Yes, I took that much drugs and alcohol I ended up in prison, 

then Cornhill (security unit) and then ward 4 – I was 

sectioned” 

“I get terrific mood swings” 

“I would’na be here (The Royal) if it wasn’t a problem. 

After you’ve been on heavy drugs for a long time you get a 

sort of drug psychosis 

where you couldn’t really function without drugs” 

“Paranoia comes and goes. 

My mind the way it has been from taking smack for ten years 

ya ken you’re going to have to deal with depression and 

paranoia for a long time. 

For short times I go back to what it was before the smack 

when I was 29 and started to take it” 

“I had depression. My Mum and Dad split up” 

“I didn’t think I had a problem until I was about thirty 

until then I was just a young dude doing my own thing. 

Then some friends go their own way gets hitched or settle down 

and you’re still banging away at it. 

That’s when I started to think about it more 

then I started to get a bit of the drug psychosis” 

“At twenty-four I knew I had a problem - did a bit of prison - 

came off the drugs but was still seeing lights, shadows and 

having nightmares”

“Mental Health Issues that come out of taking heroin over long 

periods of time” 

“Feeling out of control, tension in my head” 

“Agoraphobia not liking the supermarkets they are fucking 

scary places” 

43. Violent behaviour 

44. 

45. Many of those we spoke to talked about the violent behaviour as a result 

of drug and alcohol misuse. The majority linked this behaviour to drinking 

alcohol especially spirits, or taking a cocktail of alcohol and drugs 

“Went to the doctor and I freaked out in the surgery – 

wasn’t getting the help that I wanted. 

I attacked the doctor and then the police when they came to lift me. 

That’s when I ended up in prison” 

“Alcohol is a big part- I get really violent with it. 

Especially spirits on beer I’m all right” 

“I’m often pretty fucked up paranoid and just wanting to kick 

someone in. 

Who can cope with that?” 

“Violence through drugs, the nicest person five years ago 

is now the biggest bastard about” 

“Yes and all the crime I committed is drink related, I get violent. 

Sober I’m alright-when I drink I’m a different person” 

“99% of my problems are drink related and all of the crime 

and why I’m in here (Porterfield.” 

“I get violent with the drink, my partner drinks as well. 

I’m in here for assault” 

“Definitely alcohol. When I’ve got a drink in me I get violent” 

“Young folk hanging about the square drinking, then lots of fights 

breaking out, 

people getting their heads beaten against a wall, then the police 

come” 

“I get really violent on alcohol.

It has got me into a lot of trouble and back into this shit hole 

(Jail) 

Soon as I mix my drinks I’m an animal” 

46. 

47. 

48. Physical problems 

As well as the negative psychological impacts several of those we spoke to said that 

they suffered from physical symptoms through drug and alcohol abuse. 

Crime 

“I had asthma because of the drugs (cannabis) 

done the rest though ecstasy, coke, speed all the uppers” 

“I was taken into hospital because I had a drugs problem” 

I’ve got lots of health problems” 

“I was taking Es every day and then my tongue swelled up and 

I got scared. 

I took two Mitsubishi’s (Es) and I couldn’t feel myself 

swallow - 

I couldn’t feel my legs. I panicked so I started drinking 

instead” 

“I am an alcoholic. 

When I was drinking a litre of vodka a day, and started to 

get health problems, 

my liver has holes in it you can spit through 

and I’ve only got part of my spleen left” 

“Years ago I had a problem with amphetamines, 

I had a weak heart because of this and my life was going 

down hill fast” 

Crime was seen as a bi-product of the drug and alcohol culture. Users had to raise 

income to sustain expensive habits, including in some cases the trafficking of illegal 

drugs. 

“The amount of crime” 

“Fuck Aye stealing and robbing and that”

“I knew I had a problem when I was shop lifting and robbing 

off my family” 

“Crime rate, shoplifting and personal experiences” 

“This is my 12 th time in jail, all drink related crime - 

breach of the peace, house breaking to get money for drink” 

49. 

50. Becoming Homeless 

“When I spent all I had on drugs and ended up on the streets” 

51. 

52. 

53. 

54. 

55. 

56. 

57. Different Impacts of using different drugs and addiction 

The use and misuse of drugs had different impacts on the lives of the people that the 

research team spoke to. An often complex “raft” of factors contributed to people 

becoming addicted to drugs and alcohol. Some saw this as a gradual process that 

created an environment that hooks people into developing more severe addictions.

Having an addictive personality 

A significant number of those we spoke said that they felt that they had an addictive personality that made them more 

pre-disposed to become addicted to drugs or alcohol. 

“When I realized that I needed it” 

When I started to get clean I took to training in the gym 

and I got addicted to that, you just transfer the addiction 

from one thing to another” 

“Maybe some folk have just got a self-destruct button” 

“I have an addictive personality; I just can never get enough. 

When I first started dealing I saw it as my own wee business. 

I got my own personal usage, used that and then I wanted more. 

More you got the more you will want” 

58. The progression of addiction from “soft” to “hard” drugs 

Although there was comment that many young people smoked cannabis there was a 

perception that many people as they got older drifted away from the drug scene. 

Those that stayed hooked in often found that they progressed from cannabis to 

harder drugs such as cocaine and heroin, often continuing to take other softer drugs 

as well. 

“I think it depends on the age of folks: 

sixteen, seventeen year olds are mostly into cannabis, young 

people are into amphetamines. 

The older ones, heroin, the over twenty fives into “Charlie” 

(cocaine)” 

“Legal drugs like alcohol and fags they are really difficult 

to come off” 

“Drugs are easy to get hold of, especially cannabis. 

Most of us younger ones are into that. 

59. Becoming a dealer and/or part of the “culture” of drug using 

People were more likely to get involved with drugs if they knew others that were 

already involved or knew a dealer. They felt that there was a definite bond and 

“fellowship” within the drug community. They liked to hang out with people who were 

going through the same thing. Some liked the buzz of talking about their addiction to 

other addicts.

“I was heavily involved in the supply of cocaine when I was 

younger” 

“I think there’s a lot of peer pressure, you do what those 

about you do. 

Someone might look at me and say, You’re crazy!” 

“Your whole life becomes a buzz, all you want to do is sit 

around and think and drugs, 

talk about drug, drugs is a wee universe no one on the outside 

can understand 

how it works” 

60. 

61. Using Alcohol to come off other drugs and poly-using (using more than one 

drug at a time) 

Several of those we spoke to said that they had used alcohol as a way of softening 

the impacts of coming off heavier substances (in particular heroin) Most of them felt 

that although it helped things in the short-term alcohol did have long-term negative 

impacts and it made things much worse as they found the alcohol just as difficult to 

come off. 

“It’s more dangerous to be a drinker and take heroin you can 

make mistakes 

and are at more risk from O.D.” 

“I drink to stop the nightmares” 

“I used to be a smack addict, it took so long to get help I 

just did it myself 

then I drank to deal with coming off it, 

I have more of a problem coming off the alcohol” 

“I get pissed to stop my head going round and round. 

I’ve nothing to fill the gaps” 

“I have to take Valium and Librium to come off the alcohol 

I get that on the black market” 

“I started drinking instead of taking speed/amphetamines

and it was better for a while but now it’s much, much worse” 

“I got Valium to come off the drink- 

they gave me Valium to take away with me because I was going 

away, 

but when I came back they took I my script off me, what was I 

meant to do? 

I got a bottle; it’s harder to come off “meth” than heroin” 

Buying prescription medication on the black market 

There is an increase in the use of prescription drugs. Some said because the waiting 

lists at the DAAT were so long that some people bought “downers”. DIFFs and 

valium) and methadone (heroin substitute) on the black market. 

“My sister had to wait three months to get a methadone 

prescription 

she waited so long that she bought the “meth” on the black 

market” 

“Yeah, methadone is harder to come off than heroin itself” 

What are the barriers to people seeking help with drug and alcohol addiction?

We asked people what they felt the barriers were to accessing help with their alcohol 

and drug addiction. 

Stigma 

6% 

Who would you go to for help? 

13% 

22% 

6% 

22% 

31% 

Chart 9: Interviewees Preference for Seeking Help 

No one 

GP 

DAAT 

Social work 

Friends 

Family 

One of the main barriers to accessing help with drug and alcohol addiction was the 

perceived stigma attached to taking drugs. Being a “loser” and a failure. Those who 

were addicted to heroin said that they felt that there was an even stronger stigma 

attached to that particular drug and that the media and society labelled heroin users 

as “junkies”. They felt that it was a huge step for them to own the fact that they were 

addicted to heroin and that asking for help meant that they had to face the fact that 

they had an addiction problem. 

“Heroin has a real stigma people look down on you as soon as 

they know you’re on it” 

“If you say you are into heroin most people cringe” 

“Cocaine is becoming much more common 

and doesn’t have the same stigma as heroin” 

“People are too quick to judge you” 

“Embarrassment” 

“If you’re a junkie no one wants to know you” 

“Keep private, not to be judged, to be put into rehabilitation 

centres 

to help to come off drink and drugs”

“Worries about people finding out” 

“Definitely. I was given a house in Buckpool probably the 

worse place in Buckie for drinking. 

Every second householder has a drink problem, but they’re 

private drinkers in Buckie 

not many of them stottin’ about on the street like me. It’s 

all hush, hush” 

62. Travel 

Transport was a common theme, the lack of outreach work, and the difficulties of 

coming into Elgin from the more rural areas of Moray. Some said that they had a fear 

of being in open spaces and felt paranoid about taking public transport, It was a real 

struggle to leave the “safety” of their homes. Some commented that they didn’t get 

travelling expenses from the agencies in order to access services in Elgin so if they 

lived more rurally they were at a disadvantage. 

“Travelling to the service (DAAT) 

“Transport is a problem to get the help I ned.” 

“There is no outreach service and I have to travel into town, 

so here I am a wrecked “alkies” having to drag myself into Elgin a 40 mile 

round trip 

on crap buses that are always late. I don’t think so” 

“There is no outreach and you don’t get any expenses for 

coming into Elgin” 

Bad Experiences with Existing Agencies - DAAT (Moray Drug and Alcohol 

Team) 

Throughout the research we received a great deal of comment concerning the Moray 

Drug and Alcohol team. As few of these comments were positive but most were 

overwhelmingly negative. People thought that the service was ‘distant’ and the 

users commented upon a lack of knowledge on the subject of drugs. 

Having previous negative experiences was one of the factors that stopped people 

from going to DAAT for help or in recommending the service to others.

Unfriendly Environment 

Several people said that felt that the DAAT office was uninviting and intimidating. 

“Had to stoop to that level to go there, 

to sit on that bench in the Drug and Alcohol office, not a 

friendly environment” 

“The place could be a lot better” 

“There’s only one place to go. 

(Moray Drug and Alcohol) and it’s got a bad reputation” 

63. Long Waiting Lists 

Long waiting lists were seen to be a major problem for several reasons. Some felt 

that the help was not available when people felt that they needed it and the waiting 

meant that they lost motivation and faith and slipped back into their old ways. Many 

looked to the black market and bought drugs that helped them to counter balance 

the side effects of other drugs illegally. 

“There is a huge wait for meth, folk told tae come back in 

three months time. So they get meth off the black market.” 

“It takes forever to see someone (if at all) then they are 

left in their own” 

“They refer you to DAAT and that can take a very long time.” 

“By the time they get an appointment it might be too late” 

“Shorter waiting lists” 

“Nothing gets done-when I did go for help it took too long to 

come. 

I lost confidence in people and the urge to come off it had 

gone” 

64. No Help

There was an almost universal feeling that the DAAT service was not helpful. This 

was a strong theme in the research with indicators of a very strong perception within 

the drug community in particular which colours whether or not people access the 

service. 

“Went and saw them (DAAT) they were no help” 

“They dinna really care aboot ya (Moray Drug and Alcohol)” 

“They offered me to get into the gym 

and that asked 5 times to get into the gym but they just speak 

shite” 

“Because other people tell them it is a waste of time” 

“There’s nothing fucking stopping me from getting help, I just 

don’t get it” 

65. 

66. Difficult Relationships between clients and staff 

Most of those we spoke to comment that they had difficult relationships with some of 

the staff at the DAAT. There do seem to be issues around respect and trust that 

perhaps need to be addressed in order to encourage people to engage with the 

service. 

”Been there tried that. Went to the DAAT when I first had a 

problem 

but I didn’t like one of the staff so I didn’t go back 

“The people that work with addicts have just sat on their 

arses 

and read books all their lives, no experience like the folks 

that have been through it. 

They know what works” 

“If they have been to the DAAT before 

and don’t like the way they were treated it puts people off” 

“DAAT is no very friendly and they have a huge waiting list. 

I was told by one member of staff to ‘Keep using until you get 

on the program’ 

that was going to take eighteen months”

“They’re shit” 

“The DAAT didn’t want to know about me. 

I guess because I was a dealer. I felt judged” 

“No trust in local services” 

“I went to the local doctor in Forres about counselling 

still waiting for the DAAT to get back to me all they gave me 

was Librium, 

they just chucked tablets at me I felt like an animal” 

“It’s the same old crap with the DAAT” 

“Had a bad experience with the DAAT so didn’t go back” 

Positive Comment on the DAAT 

There was some positive feedback on the work of the DAAT in particular the 

counselling service that many felt should be extended and the work done with 

alcohol misuse. 

“I got on all right at DAAT, the counselling was good” 

“The support that I have had from the DAAT has helped me with 

my alcohol problem. I drink a lot less than I used to” 

“The DAAT deal with alcohol abuse more successfully than they 

do with drug abuse. 

Perhaps it’s the Scottish culture” 

Counselling/support services at the DAAT and other agencies 

Some of those we spoke to felt that were patronised by certain staff members who 

did not understand their issues, because they themselves had not been an addict 

and did not understand were the service users were “coming from”.

“Cocaine takes over your life 

and you need a lot more than an hour counselling a week” 

“People need more than just an hour of counselling a week” 

“They hand out “meth” but there is not enough counselling 

and support you need to have that - coming off “meth” is a 

fuckin’ nightmare” 

“Counselling was no help for me“ 

“Some tube sitting saying ‘where do we go from here’ 

that’s a waste of time” 

“I want help this time when I come out of prison, I really do, 

I want to see a counsellor, one that I like and respect when I 

leave prison. 

You have to trust the person, the one I had before I didn’t 

like” 

“I think that the services in Moray are run to suit the folk 

that work there 

not the people that have the problems, and that’s all money 

related” 

GP’s 

Many of the participants in this research went to their GP’s as a first port of call many 

comments centred on the fact that it was difficult to get an appointment and that 

there was a tendency to put people on medication even if they preferred themselves 

to try out non-medical methods such as complementary therapies or counselling. 

“My doctor, he gave me Prozac” 

“My friend told me to go to the doctor and get sorted out, 

the doctor told me to go to fuckin church!! I gave up after 

that. 

Until early last year I hit rock bottom was doing lots that I 

shouldn’t have” 

“My Doctor or NA (Narcotics Anonymous) but there isn’t one up 

here – 

they were really good”

“I just got shoved a whole load of tablets. Where is the after 

care? 

Coming off drugs is a long-term process it needs long-term 

attitudes” 

“I’ve already been to the doctor 

and he just wanted to dope me up to the eyeballs” 

“Getting an appointment with the doctor is near nigh 

impossible” 

“I need help but it’s hard to make the first step” 

I’d probably go to the doctor as a first port of call.” 

Drugs/Alcohol and Prison 

We spoke to a small group of men serving out sentences in Porterfield Prison 

(Inverness) They all said that they de-toxed when then went into gaol but all went 

straight back on the alcohol and/or drugs on their release. They felt that the first 

couple of weeks they were most vulnerable and most likely to overdose or commit 

crimes that landed them straight back in prison 

“The day you get out of gaol you just want to get out of your 

head. 

You go out with good intentions I last just about from 

Inverness to Elgin on the train” 

“Being in jail makes you want to drink as soon as you get out 

– 

you go rage.” 

“I need help to cut down my drinking. 

Putting me in jail is not going to help me because I’m an 

alcoholic - 

I just leave here drink and then up back in prison because I’m 

drinking”

Improving Services 

Finally we asked people what they felt could happen to improve or add to the 

existing services in Moray for addressing issues around drug and alcohol misuse. 

Support and counselling from people that have been through the process of coming off drugs/alcohol 

There was a widely held view that staff working with addicts did not have the experience and therefore the 

understanding of the process of coming off drugs and alcohol. Those we spoke to wanted to see more ex-users (who 

had been “clean” for some time) employed by agencies that had a drug and alcohol remit. 

“People that have been through the same experience – 

I would open up more” 

“Somewhere that I could go for help 

that has people that have gone through the same problems I 

have – 

who are more understanding and have more time” 

“People’s actual experiences would have helped” 

“I want to be dealt with 

by people who have been through the same process that I am 

going through. 

Someone who is clean though, someone who knows the difficult 

steps to getting clean” 

“Workers not understanding because they haven’t had the same 

experience”

Alternative Therapies 

Particularly long-term user felt that there were a lot of real benefits in the use of 

alternative therapies as part of the process of “getting clean”. They spoke from their 

own experiences and said that the main benefits were: less stress, an ability to relax 

more which helped them to empty their heads of anxiety and negative thoughts. 

Massage and visualisations were also mentioned as being helpful. Several said that 

they felt that counselling alone was not enough or that they were too stressed-out to 

benefit from it and should be offered counselling along side these other therapies. 

“Alternative therapies, massage, acupressure or gardening” 

“Alternative therapies open weekends and nights 

and to talk to someone who has been through the process 

themselves 

and understands what it is really like to have a cocaine 

addiction” 

“When I was clean and before I moved up here I went to this 

place 

that offered head massage and football and stuff you had 

someone to talk to. 

You are not so isolated and you don’t feel so fucked up” 

Information 

There was comment that there needed to be more information out in the wider 

community about drug and alcohol abuse and its impacts on the individual. There 

was also a suggestion that ex-addicts could tell their stories and be part of an 

interactive program with older children and young people. 

“Children need really to be told about the drug 

and what it really does, perhaps ex-users doing drug education 

like videos to schools” 

“More advertising” 

“I think…well people made aware of the drug problem, 

they are only aware if it when it affects their families” 

“Care and understanding man!” 

“More information - put it out in the schools”

Drop-in Centre 

Many of those participating in the research felt that an informal, client friendly drop-in 

service would be of great benefit to those effected by drug and alcohol misuse. They 

felt that a drop-in should offer one on one support, counselling and information and 

advice. 

“A drop-in centre perhaps in Elgin for information, 

advice and support for folks” 

“Travelling to the services and somewhere open at nights and 

weekends 

like a drop-in centre, like one that I went to where I used to 

live. 

I felt that the service that I attended to in Elgin was a 

waste of time” 

“Somewhere that I can feel comfortable with, 

get the help and not feel like the dredges of society” 

“More funding!! 4 rehab, and start up a NA (Narcotics 

anonymous)” 

More Counselling and one on one support 

There was feedback that one hour counselling a week was not enough support for 

some individuals and that resources should be put into extending the existing 

service. 

“More counsellors at the clinic” 

“More counsellors” 

More time spent with people” 

“I need a lot of one to one attention, 

I know I’m not easy but I have to build up trust with a worker 

over time” 

“I suffer from mental health problems: paranoia and the like,

so one to ones are ok for me...but I don’t like groups they 

make me anxious. 

I’ve got lots of problems all bottled up; 

I wanted to be a social worker when I left school” 

Home help 

Several commented on the fact they found home visits very helpful and that this 

service that should be extended. 

“More follow up care- the services need to be much quicker in 

responding to someone’s problems- you can be dead in Moray 

before you get any real help.” 

“Home help/care services” 

“I was getting home visits for my alcohol problem and that 

was really helpful” 

Proper De-Tox Service 

There was a consensus amongst the drug users that we spoke to that there was no 

proper de-tox programme in Moray with the nearest being in Aberdeenshire. This 

was seen as being a fundamental service need and one that should developed as a 

priority. 

“Better off doing it yourself than getting help” 

“I had a drink problem, I went on the anti-abuse medication, 

and it worked was on it fro about a week. 

I used to drink three bottles of vodka a day and a bottle of 

cider a day” 

“When you drink you have black thoughts after de-tox that’s a 

real danger” 

“Up to yourself to sort yourself out” 

“The key is being able to get the support 

when I’m ready to come off the drugs/ alcohol 

not when they are ready to fit me in”

“After DE-TOX that’s the difficult time when you can fall 

through the net 

and be straight back to square one again” 

“There needs to be a proper de-tox unit where you can come and 

go as you please, 

get blood tested daily at random” 

“I was on Valium to start with as I came in for eight days for 

the de-tox period 

but as soon as I’m out I’m straight back on the drink” 

“I’ve got to travel for a ‘home’ de-tox, 

and when I’m given diazepam I have to go to my doctor every 

day for it” 

Learning Points 

• There is a well-established drug and alcohol community in Moray with a 

likelihood that many more people involved with drug and alcohol misuse than 

are presently registered. 

• There is a perception within this community that it is very easy to obtain a 

variety of drugs as well as alcohol. 

• The negative effects of drug and alcohol misuse are wide spread and involve 

the individuals themselves, their friends and families and the wider community 

The issues arising around long-term drug and alcohol misuse are complex 

and include: 

- Long-term mental health problems such as depression, paranoia and 

“drug psychosis” 

- Violent behaviour and a change of personality. 

- Breakdown of relationships with family, significant others and the wider 

community. 

- Increase in crime. 

- Breakdown of infrastructure i.e. ability to work, holding down tenancies 

etc. 

• There are significant additional barriers to people accessing support services 

including: 

- The stigma, embarrassment and misinformation surrounding drug and 

alcohol misuse stops people from coming forward, 

- Users living in more rural areas have transport needs that make it 

difficult to access centralised services.

67. 

- Women users often have additional support requirements such as 

safety issues and childcare. 

• Existing services that have been set up to address drug and alcohol misuse 

are underused by those that need them because: 

- They are not user-friendly and that there is an unwelcoming 

environment (the building and some of the people) 

- There are significant problems between some of the drug community 

and several of the staff which has led some users to lose confidence in 

the Moray drug and alcohol service. 

- The waiting lists are perceived to be too long. 

- No perceived outreach service available. 

• A custodial sentence is not perhaps the best way of “treating/containing” drug 

and alcohol addiction. On release there should perhaps be more support for 

prisoners to try and help them break the cycle. 

68. Action Points 

69. 

Short-term 

• The DAAT to investigate why there is a perceived break down in their services 

users trust in the organisation. Look at minimising the barriers that stop 

people accessing the service. 

• Drawing down the resources to cut waiting lists for those in need of support. 

• Develop a proper de-tox service in Moray, easily accessible to users. 

• Develop an informal drop-in service offering information and advice and one 

on one support. 

Medium / Long-term 

• Extend the counselling service and input resources into training opportunities 

for counsellors to develop skills in other approaches (Cognitive Behavioural 

Therapy) 

• Train and employ ex-users as counsellors/support workers. 

• Introduce more alternative therapies that deal with stress. 

• Establishing a Narcotics Anonymous group in Moray. 

• Creating a greater level of awareness around the misuse of drugs and alcohol 

in the wider community. Dispelling the myths and prejudices.



Annex 4 – DAAT support money table

200000 

180000 

160000 

140000 

120000 

100000 

80000 

60000 

40000 

20000 

0 

Perth & Kinross 

Angus 

DAAT Area Funding 

Perth & Kinross 80,000 

Angus 80,000 

Dundee 80,000 

Highland 177,328 

Aberdeen Shire 92,000 

Moray 46,000 

Aberdeen City 92,000 

Orkney 90,819 

Shetland 90,600 

Western Isles 92,199 

Total 840,946 

DAAT Support Money Comparison Table 

Dundee 

Highland 

DAT Support Money 

Aberdeen Shire 

Moray 

Aberdeen City 

Orkney 

Shetland 

Western Isles 

Series1 

Series2

Moray Drug and Alcohol Action Team Corporate Action Plan 2005 ...

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