News / Drug Addiction
New drug and alcohol harm reduction service launches
A new drug and alcohol service will launch on Tuesday after Turning Point was awarded the contract by Bristol City Council.
The health and social care provider will work in partnership with Bristol Drugs Project (BDP) and seven other local organisations to lead Horizons: Bristol’s Drug & Alcohol Partnership, with a new city centre hub opening at 10 Brunswick Square.
Through this service, Bristol residents will have access to support whether they want to stop using drugs and alcohol entirely, reduce their use, or learn how to be safer.
is needed now More than ever
The team will provide a wide range of healthcare interventions and counselling, as well as advice and support related to employment and housing.
Dedicated teams will be available to support women involved in sex work, people who have experienced trauma, clients in contact with the criminal justice system, people who are homeless and friends and family members of people struggling with substance use.
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Nat Travis, national head of Service for Substance Use at Turning Point, said: “We are excited to build on the work drug and alcohol service providers have done to support people in Bristol.
“For over 60 years, Turning Point has embraced clinically led, evidence-based support that gives our service users a pathway to recover from substance use.
“We look forward to working with BDP and our seven other local partners to deliver a more equitable service that supports people to make positive changes to their lives and improve their health and well-being.”
The Horizons youth team will be dedicated to working with young people who want support, information, or advice about drugs or alcohol.
Everyone supported by Horizons will have access to the full range of interventions from day one. This will mean that programmes such as needle exchange, which is currently only available in the city centre, will be available at all service hubs.
Within the first six months of the contract, the full range of clinical interventions, such as wound care, vaccinations, blood-borne viruses (BBV) testing, will also be available at all service hubs.
Lydia Plant, chief executive at BDP added: “BDP have been proudly supporting the people of Bristol around their drug and alcohol use for the past 39 years focusing on reducing the harms people face and championing the needs of people who use our services.
“We can’t wait to bring our wealth of local expertise to the new Horizons partnership, alongside a range of inspiring and committed partners, working together to keep the people of Bristol at the heart of what we do.”
Their seven partnership organisations including The Nelson Trust, Hawkspring, One25, Southmead Development Trust, Southmead Project, Wellspring Settlement and Release, will help provide specialist interventions for specific needs allowing a wide range of services from the same place.
These partners have recently engaged with over 300 people, building up an understanding of what people in the community want from a new drug and alcohol partnership brand in Bristol.
A new website www.HorizonsBristol.co.uk, alongside the phone number 0300 555 1469, together provide a single point of access for anyone who is looking for information or support relating to drugs and alcohol in Bristol.
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According to Bristol’s Joint Strategic Needs Assessment, Bristol currently has the second largest estimated rate of opiate users of the English core cities.
But compared to the English core cities Bristol had the fourth highest drug treatment success rate.
The service will aim to help tackle this, with councillor Stephen Williams, chair of the public health and communities committee at Bristol City Council, saying: “Whether someone is looking for treatment, harm reduction advice, or wider support with housing and employment, they will be able to find it through a single point of contact.
“This partnership reflects our commitment to improving health and wellbeing across Bristol.”
The new hub will be next door to BDP’s existing base at 11, with further service hubs located at the Greenway Centre in Southmead and on Symes Avenue in Hartcliffe.
Horizons are also working to finalise satellite locations where some services will be delivered at specific times.
Main photo: Rob Browne
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